Covid cases force partial closure of hospital

Jersey General Hospital
Image caption,

The Jersey Government said the hospital was also exceptionally busy

At a glance

  • An outbreak of coronavirus has forced the partial closure of Jersey General Hospital

  • A number of patients on the surgical ward tested positive, health bosses say

  • Islanders who are unwell are asked not to go to the hospital, but consult their GP or a pharmacist

  • No operations have been cancelled as a result of the closure, officials say

  • Published

An outbreak of coronavirus has prompted Jersey General Hospital to urge people feeling unwell not to visit the site.

Jersey Government Health and Community Services (HCS) said some patients on the surgical floor at the hospital have the coronavirus.

It added the hospital was exceptionally busy and the floor would be "temporarily closed" to stop the spread of infection.

"From today [Thursday], the surgical floor at the hospital is temporarily closed to visitors, due to infection control reasons."

Islanders who feel unwell - including those with Covid or norovirus symptoms - have been urged to see their GP or a pharmacist instead.

The government's health and community services said: "Only some of the patients on the surgical ward have been infected, and additional measures to prevent spread [and to protect other patients and staff], have been put in place.

"The hospital remains open."

It added staff and relatives of patients on the floor had been informed.

"Patients will be discharged as usual, once fit enough," it added.

HCS has confirmed no operations had been cancelled as a result.

It said this type of response "is typical and routine over these periods, and helps prevent further spread of infection and additional pressure on our services."

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