Ward closed and hospital on high alert after Covid outbreak

A South Lanarkshire hospital is on high alert following an outbreak of coronavirus.

Ward 15 at University Hospital Hairmyres has been closed to new admissions and transfers.

Strict control measures have also been put in place to reduce the risk of infection.

Margaret Meek, director of hospital services, said the situation continues to be monitored “very closely”.

She said: “We have identified Covid-19 cases in Ward 15 at University Hospital Hairmyres.

“The ward is currently closed to new admissions and transfers and strict control measures are in place to reduce the risk of infection and the situation continues to be monitored very closely.

“The safety of our patients and staff is of paramount importance and we would like to reassure everyone that we are taking all necessary action to ensure safe and effective patient care at this time.

“I would strongly encourage visitors to get a Covid test before coming to hospital to help keep them and their loved ones safe.”

On Monday, it was reported that 2372 new cases of coronavirus had been recorded in Scotland overnight. Of those cases, 279 were in Lanarkshire.

Five Scottish health boards have also placed in the top ten table of the worst Covid case rates in Europe.

According to stats published by the World Health Organisation (WHO), Lanarkshire placed ninth.

Speaking on Good Morning Scotland, national clinical director Jason Leitch said that people in Scotland have got “less natural immunity”, due to the country not having topped the table throughout the pandemic.

He added: “It’s not a league table you want to top, and I want to get us off there as quick as we possibly can.”