Doncaster hospitals now have 31 Covid patients after 'significant rise'

Doncaster Royal Infirmary has seen a ‘significant rise’ in Covid 19 cases
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Hospital director of infection, prevention and control, and consultant microbiologist, Dr Ken Agwuh, said there had been rises in Covid-19 cases in both Doncaster and Bassetlaw hospitals.

He said: “We are caring for 31 patients with Covid-19, having recorded our largest rise for a number of weeks in the past 24 hours, with a further nine patients confirmed positive – we have also safely discharged two individuals in this period.

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“The break down of this is 29 at Doncaster Royal Infirmary and two at Bassetlaw Hospital, of which two require intensive care.

Medical staff wearing full PPE (personal protective equipment), including a face mask, long aprons, and gloves as a precautionary measure against COVID-19, work on an Intensive Care Unit (ICU) ward. Photo by STEVE PARSONS/POOL/AFP via Getty ImagesMedical staff wearing full PPE (personal protective equipment), including a face mask, long aprons, and gloves as a precautionary measure against COVID-19, work on an Intensive Care Unit (ICU) ward. Photo by STEVE PARSONS/POOL/AFP via Getty Images
Medical staff wearing full PPE (personal protective equipment), including a face mask, long aprons, and gloves as a precautionary measure against COVID-19, work on an Intensive Care Unit (ICU) ward. Photo by STEVE PARSONS/POOL/AFP via Getty Images
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“While we are managing our position well, just last Sunday we were caring for eight patients. If the infection rate continues to rise at the same rate it has this week, we will find ourselves in a more challenging situation in the not too distant future.

“While this rise in admission tallies with providers across the country, we are seeing a concerning increase of patients who are asymptomatic for the disease, but who are returning positive swabs. Therefore, as a trust, we have taken steps to enhance our PPE guidance for colleagues, as well as further bolster our safeguards against the disease.

“Our ask of you within our communities is to continue to practise the three core principles of hands, face and space – that’s regular hand hygiene, the wearing of a mask and maintaining a two metre distance between yourself and others, whenever possible.

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He also said vistiting restrictions were in place at the hospitals limiting patients to one visitor, per person, each day.

“We have however, had a few instances where an entire family has turned up to see a patient, and in these instances we have no choice but to ask you to leave. Our restrictions are in place for a reason, so if in doubt, please call ahead and speak to the ward you wish to visit,” he added.

“Doncaster and Bassetlaw still have some of the lowest infection rates within the region, and we hope this will continue and that this recent spike in admissions is short-term. For your part, please continue to support us and help us in our fight against Covid-19.”

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