Covid update: 'There may still be some further impact' at Craigavon and Daisy Hill hospitals
Health chiefs say outbreak under control but could still be consequences
Last updated 23rd Sep 2020
The Chief Executive of the Southern Trust has warned there may be further outcomes from Covid-19 outbreaks in Craigavon Area and Daisy Hill hospitals.
Eleven patients have died so far after contracting Coronavirus.
Six passed away in the hematology ward in Craigavon, while five deaths were in the male medical ward in Daisy Hill.
Overall 50 staff have tested positive for the virus and many more are self-isolating.
The Trust has apologised repeatedly and says a probe is being set up.
Shane Devlin, Chief Executive of the Southern Trust gave Downtown Radio Cool FM this update:
"In terms of the outbreak, we have had no further growth... in the last couple of days and therefore we are managing the outbreak in terms of the growth of the number of patients and staff that are positive and we've done that through testing and isolating staff and patients," he said.
"Clearly there may still be a consequence because some of those patients who had tested positive, may themselves become very unwell.
"Therefore, although the outbreak is in control, there may still be some further impact of the outbreak."
Concerns have been raised around the handling of the outbreak.
SDLP Newry and Armagh MLA Justin McNulty said questions need to be answered:
"Families are grief stricken and my sympathies go out to those families.
"Staff raised concerns to me around testing... why were the lessons not learned from Craigavon Area Hospital outbreaks there and why were staff working on a covid ward one day in Craigavon then moved to a ward in Daisy Hill?
"Surely that doesn't make any sense?"
Last week the Southern Trust released a statement in response to Mr McNulty's claims:
"The Trust has been following public health infection prevention and control guidance since the outset of the Covid-19 pandemic and would strongly refute any suggestion otherwise.
"The outbreak in Daisy Hill Hospital will be subject to a level 3 Serious Adverse Incident review."
Downtown Cool FM asked Mr Devlin for an update on the probe:
"We will be carrying out a full SAI level three.
"That SAI will be looking at both the outbreak in Daisy Hill and the outbreak in Craigavon hematology that directly relates to the 11 deaths.
"We are working with a potential chair to look at the terms of reference for that SAI."