A hospital in Somerset has been forced to close its doors to new A&E patients due to what it has described as a ‘high number’ of COVID-19 patients.
Weston General Hospital implemented the temporary measures at 08:00 hours this morning to “maintain patient and staff safety”.
The NHS Trust responsible for the operation of the hospital described the measures as “precautionary”. Patients needing A&E treatment have been re-directed elsewhere.
Medical director Dr William Oldfield said:
“We currently have a high number of patients with Covid-19.
“While the vast majority will have come into the hospital with Covid-19, as an extra precaution, we have taken the proactive step to temporarily stop accepting new patients to maintain patient and staff safety.”
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