NEARLY 40 patients are being treated for Covid-19 at three hospitals in Gwynedd following an outbreak.

Betsi Cadwaladr University Health Board (BCUHB) said it is caring for 39 patients, 15 of which had acquired infections in hospital, at Ysbyty Gwynedd and Ysbyty Eryri.

The health board confirmed it is also managing outbreaks involving a small number of patients at Glan Clwyd Hospital and Llandudno Hospital, as cases continue to rise in each country in the North Wales region.

Gill Harris, BCUHB executive director for nursing and midwifery, said: “As of this morning, we are caring for 39 patients who are currently COVID-19 positive at Ysbyty Gwynedd and Ysbyty Eryri, of which we currently have 15 patients which are confirmed hospital acquired infection.

“A small number of patients linked to the outbreak are now being cared for at Ysbyty Dolgellau.

“We are continuing to manage the situation and the wards affected by the outbreak remain closed to admissions and visitors.

“We are also managing outbreaks affecting a small number of patients across hospitals in the central region. This includes Glan Clwyd Hospital and Llandudno Hospital.

“At 116.9 per 100,000 people, Conwy has the highest COVID-19 incidence rate in Wales followed by Denbighshire at 103.5 per 100,000 people.

“Cases of COVID-19 are rising across North Wales so now it is more important than ever that we all continue to follow the guidance in place inside our healthcare settings.

“The Delta variant is much more transmissible and pressures on our health and care services are rising. Please be kind to our health and care staff – continuing to follow the guidance is for their safety and yours.

“Despite the fantastic progress of our local vaccination programme, we need to ensure that everyone continues to follow the guidelines in place when visiting our healthcare settings – wearing a facemask, following social distancing guidelines and using the available hand sanitiser as often as possible.

“Only attend our hospital sites if it is absolutely necessary to help us reduce the risk of infection. Visiting arrangements must be made directly with the ward. An individual risk assessment must be completed both in advance of and on arrival of an agreed visit in order to keep patients, staff and visitors safe.

“Our priority is to ensure our staff and patients are as safe as possible as cases of COVID-19 continue to rise across North Wales. “

For any concerns please contact the Patient Advice and Liaison Service by telephoning 03000 851234 Monday to Friday between 9am – 5pm or emailing BCU.PALS@wales.nhs.uk