First Minister says second Wrexham hospital outbreak “under control”

The First Minister Mark Drakeford has said he has had an update earlier today from local officials regarding the new outbreak at the local hospital.

Following the news on Friday another outbreak had been declared at Wrexham Maelor Hospital Wrexham.com asked the First Minister at today’s briefing for the latest information, and if there was any specific concern as this is a second such outbreak.

The First Minister said, “There is a second but small outbreak at Wrexham Maelor Hospital.”

“The latest information I had this morning was that local officials feel that they have it under control. As I said before the more coronavirus there is in the community, the greater the risks are inevitably that somehow the virus will make its way into a hospital and there’s been a lot more coronavirus in the Wrexham areas and there was earlier in the year when we had that first outbreak.”

“It’s why all the efforts that people have made in the firebreak are so important to reduce the flow of coronavirus in the community.”

“Not only does that protect our NHS by stemming the flow of people needing admission to hospital for coronavirus, but it reduces the risk of coronavirus itself will find its way into the NHS.”

On Friday Debra Hickman, Acting Executive Director of Nursing at Betsi Cadwaladr University Health Board, said: “We have seen a rise in COVID-19 infections at Wrexham Maelor Hospital and a second outbreak affecting a small number of patients has now been declared.

“The virus is still circulating in our communities across North Wales.

“More patients with COVID-19 are being admitted into our hospitals. As our hospitals come under increasing pressure, keeping patients and staff safe from infection becomes more challenging.

“A significant risk is that a patient can test negative for COVID-19 while the virus is in its incubation period, and then test positive after being admitted to hospital.

“All hospitals face the challenge of balancing the risk of infection while providing care for those who need it.

“We are appealing to the public to continue to follow the government guidelines to help reduce the risk of infection our communities. This not only helps us to keep our staff and patients safe, but will also keep your families and loved ones safe as well.”

It is the second outbreak to have been declared at the hospital, which saw a large increase in the number of patients with coronavirus over the summer.

At its height in July there were almost 80 confirmed cases of the virus in the hospital.

The first outbreak was declared over in September, with over 33 people reported as having died, with a report into the incident due this month.

You can view today’s Welsh government press briefing below: