“Of 56 new patients receiving care for COVID-19 in East Area hospitals over past 7 days, seven have healthcare acquired infection”

Seven out of fifty six new patients who started being treated for coronavirus in the east area of the health board this week have healthcare acquired covid.

Wrexham’s rolling seven day figure up to the 3rd of Jan is now 867.9 per 100k. That is the highest cases per 100k figure in the whole of Wales. Today’s Public Health Wales dashboard update showed +157 new reported cases for Wrexham.

Today’s update from the health board gives further information on Wrexham hospital acquired coronavirus, in what has become a regular update on the second outbreak at the hospital, and is a separate update from the number of people being treated there for coronavirus from community or other transmission.

As of this morning there are 119 people being treated for COVID-19 in the Maelor in total.

The North Wales health board area is split into west, central and east sections with Wrexham coming under the ‘east’.

Debra Hickman, Secondary Care Nurse Director, said: “The concerning increase in community transmission of COVID-19 in the Wrexham area is putting Wrexham Maelor Hospital under significant pressure. As the hospital comes under increasing pressure, keeping staff and patients safe from infection becomes much more challenging.

“As of this morning we are providing care to 50 patients at Wrexham Maelor Hospital and community hospitals in the East area who currently have, or have had healthcare acquired COVID-19 infection. Since declaring this outbreak in late October, we have provided care to 146 patients with healthcare acquired COVID-19 infection.”

“Of the 56 new patients receiving care for COVID-19 infection in East Area hospitals over the past seven days, seven have healthcare acquired COVID-19 infection.”

“Our infection prevention practices are under regular review as we learn more about the virus and national guidance is updated.

“We are urging people to follow the government guidelines to help reduce the risk of infection in our communities, protect the NHS, and keep each other safe.

“People can also help us to continue to meet demand for care by only attending our Emergency Departments if they are seriously injured or have a life threatening health condition.”

“Please help us to reduce the risk of infection by only attending our hospital sites if it is absolutely necessary. Visiting remains restricted, except for some limited circumstances, but people should continue to attend appointments unless they are told otherwise.”

For further information on choosing the most appropriate health service for your needs, please visit our website: Where Do I Go? – Betsi Cadwaladr University Health Board (nhs.wales)