Covid in Wales: 2,000 patients die after catching virus in hospital
- Published
Last winter more than 5,000 hospital-acquired Covid infections were confirmed in Wales
More than 2,000 people in Wales, who probably caught Covid in hospital, went on to die within 28 days, data shows.
There have been at least 8,243 cases of patients probably or definitely catching Covid in Welsh hospitals since the start of the pandemic.
About 27% (2,216) died within 28 days, though not necessarily of Covid, having been admitted for other reasons.
The Welsh government said the NHS has "worked hard to ensure people admitted to hospital are protected from Covid".
The Public Health Wales (PHW) data, requested by BBC Wales, also shows the death rate of patients who caught the virus in hospital has gone down as the pandemic has progressed.
It comes after BBC research found that frontline NHS staff in some Welsh hospitals were not regularly tested for Covid-19 until near the end of the second wave.
Last month, the UK government's Scientific Advisory Group for Emergencies (SAGE) recommended a "renewed emphasis" on measures to reduce infection spread in hospital.
This included continuing to focus on the use of ventilation and face masks and consistently testing healthcare workers across the sector.
PHW data shows that during the first wave, 33% of patients who probably or definitely caught Covid in hospital died within 28 days of a positive test.
That figure fell to 27% in the second wave and currently stands at 14% in the third wave.
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The data however does not set out how many of the deaths were primarily caused by the virus, in how many Covid was an aggravating factor, or how many deaths were caused by other factors.
People are defined as having "probably" caught Covid in hospital if they test positive between day eight and 14 of their hospital stay, and "definitely" if the positive test comes after that.
More than 1,000 patients have probably or definitely caught the virus in hospital in Wales since the beginning of August.
The Welsh government said despite introducing "very robust infection control measures and a stringent testing regime", the virus is particularly highly-transmissible in closed settings like hospitals.
It said NHS Wales had followed regular UK infection prevention control guidance which has been "regularly updated" and "multiple checks" had been undertaken by health boards and public bodies.
It added: "The NHS continues to provide services for patients with Covid-19 as well as those needing to access other essential services.
"Health boards have created separate areas in hospitals to help protect patients and staff and to ensure the environment is as safe as possible."
There will be more on this story on Wales Live, BBC One Wales, at 22:30 GMT on Wednesday
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