THE Southern Health Trust yesterday refused to comment on reports that staff at Daisy Hill Hospital had tested positive for Covid-19.
When asked by The Irish News if any staff at the Newry hospital had been diagnosed with coronavirus, the trust said it would "not be commenting on staff who test positive for Covid-19".
Concerns had been raised by SDLP assembly member Justin McAnulty who said he had been "contacted by staff within Daisy Hill Hospital and advised that two members of a medical team within a ward had tested positive for Covid-19".
"This is a hugely worrying development for staff, patients and families and comes hot on the heels of three separate outbreaks in Craigavon Area Hospital," he said.
"On top of the graveness of a potential outbreak in Daisy Hill Hospital, there are also very concerning questions to be asked about how this has been handled.
"Whilst the staff members who tested positive are now off work and self-isolating, there are some members of staff on the same ward and indeed patients and their families who have not been advised of this development."
Mr McAnulty said he had spoken to the chief executive of the Southern Trust.
"I was advised that staff, patients or the public do not need to be informed or traced where they came into contact with the staff members who tested positive if the staff member was suited out in PPE at the time," he said.
"I believe we need to take whatever steps necessary to identity and test all the staff and patients who may have been exposed. Secondly, I firmly believe the handling of this potential outbreak should now also be subject to an investigation".
A spokeswoman for the Southern Health and Social Care Trust said it would "not be commenting on staff who test positive for Covid-19".
"In general, if a staff member tests positive a range of things will happen, in line with public health guidance," she said.
"This will include identification of close contacts, testing, self-isolation and cleaning the work environment.
"This has happened on an on-going basis since March. All cases are reported to the Public Health Agency as per agreed reporting arrangements".
Health minister Robin Swann has announced a level-three serious adverse incident investigation into recent coronavirus outbreaks at Craigavon Area Hospital.
Four patients who contracted Covid-19 while being treated on the haematology ward have died, while seven others were said to be "very unwell" earlier this week.
Meanwhile, the trust yesterday announced that it was temporarily suspending visiting on all sites and facilities from 6pm.
Only end of life visits and birthing partners will be permitted access.
The trust said the restrictions were to "protect visitors, patients and staff given the increased level of Covid-19 currently circulating in this area".
It also said the reopening of Daisy Hill's emergency department has been postponed until October 19.
It closed in March as staff were transferred to Craigavon to operate a second emergency department as part of the Covid response.
The trust said it planned to reopen the unit by the end of September but needs more time to create space for social distancing along with other measures to "make sure the hospital is as safe as possible".
