WORK has been taking place in response to cases of COVID-19 associated with Midpark Hospital in Dumfries.
A total of five positive cases of COVID have been confirmed among patients associated with the outbreak at the hospital’s Glencairn Ward. Glencairn Ward is an acute mental health ward for older adult patients.
The ward has been closed to new admissions and routine visiting. This will be reviewed regularly with an aim to open up admissions and visiting as early as possible – at present visiting is only allowed for end-of-life patients.
It is possible that some services at Midpark may be affected by the actions which are being undertaken, and anyone affected by that will be contacted directly.
This comes as COVID continues to spread in the community. Though the spread of the new Omicron variant is slowing, many new cases are continuing to emerge across Dumfries and Galloway. Outbreaks are also being managed in several care homes across the region.
A reminder is issued of the great importance of following current rules and guidance. Anyone who has tested positive for COVID must self-isolate immediately and keep self-isolating for at least seven days. They can take lateral flow tests on days 6 and 7, and, if these are negative, they can stop isolating, but they still should not visit hospitals or care homes until day 10. Anyone who tests positive in the 48 hours after visiting a hospital or care home should inform the staff.
It is also vitally important that anyone who believes they may be experiencing any symptoms of COVID immediately self-isolates, arranges to have a COVID test, and continues to self-isolate until results are received.
Regular testing is encouraged, and can take place at a test centre or at home.
To book a COVID test at a test centre, or order home test kits, please visit https://www.nhsinform.scot/illnesses-and-conditions/infections-and-poisoning/coronavirus-covid-19/test-and-protect/coronavirus-covid-19-testing.
