WEST Wales’ biggest hospital has closed two wards following a Covid-19 outbreak over the weekend.

Glangwili General Hospital in Carmarthen has closed the Dewi and Merlin wards after ‘less than 25 individual cases’ were identified over the weekend.

Dewi Ward and the Ear, Nose and Throat Ward, Merlin, have both been closed to new admissions following the outbreak.

A spokesperson for Hywel Dda University Health Board said: “Dewi and Merlin Wards are temporarily closed to new admissions following a number of patients testing positive for COVID-19 over the weekend. There are less than 25 individuals between the two areas with confirmed positive COVID-19.

“All patients in these areas have been tested and are being cared for appropriately with regular communication with them and their families or carers.

“As an extra safeguard, all staff working on the two wards are being screened and appropriate staffing arrangements are in place, including stringent infection prevention and control measures and appropriate use of Personal Protective Equipment.

“As a precaution and to allow time to safely review staff that have worked in the area, a number of clinics have been postponed and will be rearranged.”

Hospital General Manager Sarah Perry added: “Covid-19 is circulating in our communities, but thanks to testing and tracing, and stringent infection prevention measures, we are much more aware and able to deal with risks in order to protect our patients, staff and wider community.

“This is why we have contained two areas of Glangwili General Hospital at present, in line with our plans for managing in-hospital transmission of Covid. We are closely monitoring the situation and working with partners including Public Health Wales and the local authority.

“It is clear that Covid-19 cases are rising in our area and we would like to take this opportunity to ask everyone to follow the guidelines that are in place to protect us all.”