Gwent health board gives visiting update as covid rates rise

Two hospitals in Gloucestershire have reintroduced strict visiting measures for anyone hoping to visit a loved one – including a maximum visiting time of two hours a day.

Visitors will also have to take a lateral flow test on arrival to Gloucestershire Royal Hospital and Cheltenham General Hospital for an initial period of two weeks.

But, despite Gwent having some of the highest covid rates of any region in Wales, bosses at the Aneurin Bevan University Health Board have stopped short of tightening their restrictions at this time.

However, they have stressed that their existing measures – which already include visitors requiring a negative lateral flow test, are sufficient at this time to keep staff and patients as safe as can be.

• Have you recently lost a loved one? We want to help you celebrate their life by publishing an obituary in the paper and online. Click here to submit information and pictures.

Facial coverings and infection prevention guidelines remain a requirement for anyone entering hospitals in the health board area, including the flagship Grange hospital, which has been the subject of recent headlines, as it approaches a year of being open and operational.

Continuing, should covid rates in the Newport and Gwent community worsen, bosses at the health board have not ruled out increasing visitor restrictions at their hospitals, either.

A spokesman confirmed that this option remains on the table, revealing that they are “closely monitoring” the situation, and are prepared to act if needed.

Read more local news here

• Caerphilly continues to record high Covid cases - six new Gwent deaths
• The 17 areas of Gwent with Covid case rates above 1,000 over the last week
• Aldi plans in Newport set for refusal as rivals raise concerns

Statement from the health board in full

A spokesman for the Aneurin Bevan University Health Board told the Argus: “As the safety of our patients and staff remains our main priority throughout this Pandemic, we are continuing to operate a strict appointment-only visiting policy across all of our Hospital sites.

“Anyone with a visiting appointment must produce a negative lateral flow test result prior to gaining access to the hospital, as well as wearing a face covering and adhering to infection prevention guidelines throughout their visit.

“We have no immediate plans to increase our visiting restrictions at this time, but we are closely monitoring the Covid-19 infection rates in our Health Board area and will adjust our visiting policy accordingly if necessary.”