A total of 14 GPs and their staff at one practice have tested positive for Covid-19, as part of a coronavirus outbreak.
Haresfield Surgery in Worcester remains open following the outbreak, despite large numbers of staff having to self-isolate.
NHS Herefordshire and Worcestershire CCG confirmed to Pulse that the surgery has ‘undergone the necessary actions following the unfortunate event of positive Covid cases amongst its staff’.
All staff have since been tested ‘as a precaution’, but no patients were identified as having had contact with the infected staff.
The surgery has been deep-cleaned twice, including over the weekend, following the outbreak.
Dr Kathryn Cobain, director for Public Health Worcestershire, said on Friday: ‘[Fourteen] members of staff at Haresfield surgery in Worcester have tested positive for Covid. They are currently self-isolating for at least ten days and close contacts notified to isolate for 14 days, as per national guidance. As a precaution all staff have been tested. No patients have been identified as having contact with the staff affected.
‘The practice has robust measures in place to help prevent the spread of Covid-19 and ensure the safety of both staff and patients. A deep clean of the premises has already taken place and further cleaning will be carried out over the weekend. The surgery remains open. Public Health in Worcestershire is working closely with the surgery to support staff and to ensure all necessary steps are being taken.’
The notice added that ‘the CCG, Public Health England and Worcestershire County Council have reviewed the situation and confirmed that the measures taken mean that there is no further risk to patients attending the surgery for necessary care’, despite the outbreak.
It comes as several GP practices had to close to be deep-cleaned at the beginning of the pandemic following concerns about similar outbreaks.
A version of this story first appeared on our sister title Pulse.
