Doncaster hospital ward in lockdown after four patients test positive for Covid-19

Bosses at Mexborough’s Montagu Hospital have introduced a number of measures after several positive coronavirus cases were recorded in a number of hours.

The hospital is one of three in the area run by Doncaster and Bassetlaw Teaching Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust, with Doncaster Royal Infirmary and Worksop’s Bassetlaw Hospital the others.

Dr Ken Agwuh, Director of Infection, Prevention and Control and Consultant Microbiologist at Doncaster and Bassetlaw Teaching Hospitals, said: “Unfortunately, four inpatients at Montagu Hospital have tested positive for Covid-19.

"The patients are all within one specific area and are all isolated within single rooms to try and prevent any further spread of the virus.”

“A full review of this clinical environment has occurred and further surveillance testing of both staff and patients is in place, while the latter are routinely tested on transfer to the unit.

"Unfortunately we will be restricting visitors to this area as a further precautionary measure due to the prevalence of Covid-19 locally.

“There is a significant risk of asymptomatic transfer of the virus in our communities, and in our hospitals, and we all need to be extremely vigilant to tackle this virus. We are dependent on local people continuing to do the right thing and only coming to our hospitals when it is absolutely necessary to further reduce to spread of Covid-19.”

Yesterday, Doncaster Royal Infirmary reported two further deaths from coronavirus, with the town’s tally now standing at 240.