13 patients’ deaths linked to Covid-19 outbreak at hospital
Thirteen people have now died with coronavirus at a hospital in South Wales where 94 cases have been linked to an outbreak of Covid-19.
Royal Glamorgan Hospital in Llantrisant has already suspended planned surgeries and its health board has decided to open a field hospital next week to relocate patients who are Covid-free.
Emergency admissions, with the exception of children, and Welsh Ambulance Service patients are being diverted to other hospitals.
The self-contained paediatric wards at the Royal Glamorgan Hospital remain open, along with mental health services at the hospital.
On Friday, Cwm Taf Morgannwg University Health Board announced that the reopening of the Tirion birth centre at the hospital – due on October 5 – had been delayed.
A spokeswoman said several options had been explored, with risk assessments undertaken, but it could not “safely reopen” the centre at this time.
Professor Kelechi Nnoaham, director of public health at Cwm Taf Morgannwg University Health Board, said: “Temporary restrictions to services at the Royal Glamorgan Hospital will remain in place until we are absolutely sure that we have contained the spread of the virus on the site.
“The opening of our field hospital next week will create capacity at the hospital for patients who need the most specialist care, and enable others to relocate to a Covid-free setting.
“Alongside Public Health Wales, we are continually reviewing the situation, and acknowledge the major impact that our decisions are having on our patients, our communities, and our staff.
“We thank everyone for working with us at this challenging time.
“The safety of our patients and staff across all of our sites remains our first priority and we remain grateful to all members of our community who are continuing to adhere to the guidance in order to help control the spread of this virus.”
The field hospital, Ysbyty’r Seren, will open in Bridgend on Thursday October 8 to provide care for Covid-free patients who are medically fit for discharge but who still require some care needs.
On Friday, Public Health Wales said there had been a further 462 cases of Covid-19 in Wales, bringing the total number of confirmed cases in the country to 24,845.
Three further deaths were reported, with the total number of deaths since the beginning of the pandemic increasing to 1,625.
