Figures this week from Public Health Scotland show that hospital-acquired Covid infections have been rising steadily in Scotland from September last year. Scottish Labour has said this shows there is still more work to be done to bring infection rates down.

Statistics revealed that the number of patients who became infected with Covid-19 while receiving treatment for non-Covid reasons reached their highest level in the pandemic so far.

The data showed that in the week ending January 17, 244 hospital patients were found to have definitely caught Covid-19 while on a ward for non-Covid treatment with a further 114 thought to have “probable hospital onset” of the virus. In total 358 people were either definitely or probably infected on wards.

Scottish Labour has said the Scottish Government must do more to protect staff and patients, further boosting calls for better PPE for NHS staff and more resources to allow enhanced cleaning and protective measures in hospitals.

Commenting, Jackie Baillie MSP for Dumbarton, Vale of Leven, Helensburgh & Lomond said:

 “Hospital-onset Covid infections have been increasing steadily for months and infections will keep rising if the NHS continues to struggle with staffing and PPE.

“The SNP still has work to do. Hospitals remain a site of primary care and more efforts must be devoted to protecting both frontline staff and vulnerable patients, otherwise we are fighting a losing battle.

“The SNP cannot become complacent at this crucial stage. They must get back to basics, get infection rates down and ensure our hospitals are safe for everyone.”

NOTES TO EDITORS:

https://beta.isdscotland.org/find-publications-and-data/population-health/covid-19/hospital-onset-covid-19-cases-in-scotland/

The total number of COVID-19 cases reported to ARHAI Scotland this week (week ending 17 January 2021) was 11,361. Of these:

• 10,590 (93.2%) were reported as community onset (first positive specimen taken in the community). In the previous week (week ending 10 January 2021) there were 14,244 (95.1%).
• 330 (2.9%) were reported as non-hospital onset (first positive specimen on day 1 or 2 of admission to NHS board). In the previous week (week ending 10 January 2021) there were 338 (2.3%).
• 83 (0.7%) were reported as indeterminate hospital onset (first positive specimen on days 3 to 7 of admission to NHS board). In the previous week (week ending 10 January 2021) there were 66 (0.4%).
• 114 (1.0%) were reported as probable hospital onset (first positive specimen on days 8 to 14 of admission to NHS board). In the previous week (week ending 10 January 2021) there were 113 (0.8%).
• 244 (2.1%) were reported as definite hospital onset (first positive specimen date was 15 or more days after admission to NHS board). In the previous week (week ending 10 January 2021) there were 219 (1.5%).