Covid outbreak forces ward closure at Ripon Community Hospital

A number of patients on the 16-bed Trinity ward at Ripon Community Hospital have tested positive for the virus over the past few days.

The ward is normally used to treat patients for rehabilitation issues after falls and strokes, or to administer end-of-life care.

Patients have all been moved 12 miles to Harrogate District Hospital for treatment, and the ward has been closed for a deep clean.

The hospital, which is GP-led by, are investigating the cause of the outbreak.

Ripon Community Hospital, run by Harrogate and District NHS Foundation Trust, remains open for outpatient care and minor injuries, it was confirmed.

The hospital is GP-led with three practises, The Spa Surgery, Park Street Surgery and North House Surgery, serving patients on ward rounds daily.

There are 67 coronavirus cases currently being treated at Harrogate District Hospital, two more than last week.

Steve Russell, Chief Executive at Harrogate and District NHS Foundation Trust, said: “Following positive Covid-19 tests for some patients on the ward at Ripon Community Hospital, the ward has been closed for cleaning and Covid-19 positive patients moved to Harrogate District Hospital to continue receiving care on dedicated wards.

“As we always do, appropriate actions have been taken and we are carrying out an investigation into the root cause.”

The seven-day positive test rate for North Yorkshire is 98.5 per 100,000 people, which remains below the England seven-day rate.

It comes as Harrogate District Hospital tightened up its visitor policy yesterday as it dealt with the pressure of new case admissions.

Visitors are now only permitted for patients who are at the end of life, in instances where difficult conversations need to be had, or for patients with physical and cognitive impairments.

The hospital has treated 735 covid cases since the pandemic began.