Coronavirus: COVID-19 assessment centre in Derry shuts over staff illness

THE new GP-led assessment centre for suspected cases of Covid-19 at Altnagelvin Hospital has closed due to staff sickness.

The centre – which was visited by Health Minister Robin Swann when it opened on Wednesday – is due to re-open after the weekend.

Dr Tom Black, from the BMA, said: “On that particular rota, we have 40 nurses off with illness or self-isolation, but there is an additional pool of nurses ready to come in on Monday.”

The Western Trust, which runs the centre, confirmed it had temporarily closed due to staffing issues.

The BMA said patients in most need of medical attention would be transferred to specialist hospital wards.

A total of 15 people have now died in the North of Ireland from Coronavirus.

There have been 324 confirmed cases as a result of 4,286 tests.

The Department of Health is expected to increase tests from next week, which is to include frontline health care staff.

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