LAST UPDATE | 4 Sep 2020

STORMONT HEALTH MINISTER Robin Swann has described the deaths of two patients who had tested positive for Covid-19 who had been treated at the haematology ward in Craigavon Hospital in Co Armagh as “extremely distressing and disturbing”.

A third patient who had been treated on the ward before they were discharged has also died, the Southern Health Trust said. They had tested positive for Covid-19, but that was not the primary cause of death in that case.

The number of patients connected to the hospital’s haematology ward who have tested positive for coronavirus remains at 14.

17 members of staff have tested positive and are currently self-isolating.

There are 42 staff identified as potential contacts and are currently self-isolating.

The ward remains closed to new admissions.

Robin Swann has described the deaths of the two patients as “extremely distressing and disturbing”. 

“My deepest sympathies go to the families and friends of those who have passed away,” Swann said.

“The Southern Trust has made clear that a detailed investigation is ongoing following the clusters at the hospital.

“This situation demands a thorough and expeditious investigation. Patients and bereaved families are entitled to answers.

“I will continue to closely monitor the management of these clusters and will be receiving updates from the trust.”

Meanwhile, it has been confirmed another 61 people have tested positive for Covid-19 in Northern Ireland.

Some 439 new cases of the virus have been detected in the last seven days, bringing the total in the region to 7,503.

One further death was reported today, bringing the total in the North to 564.

Includes reporting by Press Association