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Giffard and De Sausmarez Wards are closed to new admissions as the Princess Elizabeth Hospital responds to an outbreak of covid-19 among patients and staff.
The Committee for Health & Social Care said the two outbreaks are unconnected and there are no common characteristics among the 15 patients currently infected.
“The 15 patients are in hospital with covid-19 but not because of covid-19,” said the Committee.
“The wards affected are closed to new admissions and will remain closed until the outbreak is over, as part of our outbreak management procedures. Infection control measures are in place across both areas.”
Giffard is a general surgical ward and De Sausmarez is an orthopaedic ward.
Pictured: Deputy Al Brouard (left), President of the Committee for Health & Social Care, and Dr Peter Rabey, Medical Director of the Princess Elizabeth Hospital.
The Committee said the outbreaks are putting new pressures on hospital staff and are being managed through redeployment.
“As staff have also tested positive for covid-19…we have to redeploy staff across the acute service. However, this is a familiar occurrence for staff working as part of an outbreak," it said.
“The rest of the hospital continues as normal.”
Visitors, patients and carers are asked not to go to the hospital with symptoms affecting the respiratory system. And anyone there for an appointment or visiting a patient should still take a lateral flow test before entering the hospital, apply hand sanitiser and wear a new mask.
“The hospital has vulnerable patients and we as a community must do all we can to protect them,” said the Committee.
The outbreak was first detected on Giffard Ward on 31 January.
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