Coronavirus: Five more Covid-19 hospital deaths confirmed in NI

Five more patients across two hospitals in Northern Ireland have died following Covid-19 outbreaks on wards.

The Southern Trust said two patients had died in the haematology ward in Craigavon Hospital, after four had died on the same ward almost two weeks ago.

It also said three patients at Daisy Hill Hospital in Newry had died.

They were being treated on the male medical ward, where 11 patients had tested positive.

The trust said a level three Serious Adverse Incident (SAI) investigation will be carried out into the outbreak at Daisy Hill.

Health Minister Robin Swann has previously announced a similar investigation into the Craigavon outbreak.

It is the highest level of hospital investigation.

The trust also confirmed on Friday that 23 members of haematology staff at Craigavon Hospital have tested positive for Covid-19.

Another 45 staff are self-isolating after being identified as contacts.

At Daisy Hill, 21 staff from the male medical ward have also tested positive while another 67 staff contacts are off work and self-isolating.

The trust said it has sought independent advice from the Public Health Agency and Public Health England.

The Southern Trust chief executive Shane Devlin said its immediate priority is to "manage the serious impact of Covid-19 in our community and in our facilities".

"On behalf of all our staff, we pass on our deepest sympathy to the family and friends of patients who have passed away," he said.

DUP MLA Pam Cameron, the deputy chair of Stormont's health committee, said the deaths are both "concerning and distressing".

She said there was an onus on Health Minister Robin Swann to provide further clarity on the situation with the Southern Trust.

"We know how important it is for the public to have confidence in their health service and the facilities that are there for them if they become unwell.

"They need to know that they are safe if they require admission to hospital," she said.

Sinn Féin's Liz Kimmins said there was deep concern over the hospital deaths and the number of new cases among staff.

"I extend my sympathies to the families of those who have died and wish those who are ill or self-isolating a speedy recovery," she said.

She said the availability of coronavirus testing for trust staff has been raised previously with Mr Swann and the trust's chief executive.

"While workers are now being tested, this cannot happen again. Our health workers are fighting the virus on the frontline and should be protected.

SDLP MLA Justin McNulty said he was incredibly saddened to hear of the most recent deaths.

He told the BBC that the families of those who died "want and deserve answers".

Patients, their families and hospital staff are "worried sick," he said.

"Staff in those hospitals also need to know they are safe and that they are being looked after, that all measures are put in place so their safety is secured."

Fourteen patients on Craigavon's haematology ward were confirmed to have the virus in a cluster identified last month.

A fourth death was confirmed on 7 September.

That prompted Mr Swann order an investigation.

"The investigation will be in the form of a level three Serious Adverse Incident, which I've asked the trust to initiate immediately," Mr Swann told the Northern Ireland Assembly at the time.

Last week the Southern Health Trust suspended visiting at all of its hospitals and other facilities in order to protect patients and staff from coronavirus.