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Feb 2021

Health

Harrogate man claims he caught coronavirus in hospital

Published: 12 Feb 2021, 06:10 GMT

Updated: 12 Feb 2021, 10:13 GMT

by Connor Creaghan

Mr Linden is in the at-risk group and said he fears he isn't going to survive after testing positive for coronavirus. The hospital said in reponse that the level of care he received was what could be expected.

A Harrogate man who claims he caught coronavirus in hospital has called for greater protections for patients.

Tom Linden, who is 64, was taken to Harrogate District Hospital by ambulance a couple of weeks ago on January 27.

With chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), heart failure and diabetes, Mr Linden is in the at-risk group for coronavirus.

He feared going into hospital but when he developed fluid retention complications, a symptom of COPD, he had no choice.

On entering hospital he tested negative for coronavirus so was taken to the Byland Ward with five other COPD patients.

Mr Linden, who in normal times is in and out of hospital quite regularly, told the Stray Ferret:

"We were all tested for coronavirus on a daily basis. The staff came in on one night and told one of the six of us that they had coronavirus. As I was awake they told me as well.

"The same happened again another night. We raised our concerns about coronavirus safety in the ward and asked them to leave the door open and open the window but they dismissed us.

“On the third time they told me I had coronavirus. They moved me into the Nidderdale ward with the other coronavirus patients and I have a private room where I am calling you from now.

"Now I have to keep telling them to close the door behind them when they come into the room. I am absolutely terrified. I don’t think I am going to make it."

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Harrogate District Hospital is under significant pressure at the moment. As of yesterday, it had 61 coronavirus. Down just three from an all time high of 64 patients last week.

A spokesperson for the hospital said:

"We have reviewed the comments made by Mr Linden and we are confident that the care provided has been what would be expected.

"Hospitals are safe places to be to receive care if needed.

"At Harrogate District Hospital, we follow strict infection prevention and control measures to protect both our colleagues and our patients, and these are adhered to at all times.

"Some of the measures include opening the windows where possible once every hour for 10 minutes.

"We have plastic curtains in between all beds (that are not two metres apart) which are wiped clean regularly.

"All colleagues involved in patient care are asked to self-test for covid-19 twice a week and report in the results.

"This helps to keep people safe and prevent asymptomatic spread of covid-19.

"Should anyone’s subsequent tests come back positive, then we have plans in place to provide appropriate care.”

The hospital's press office also added that staff are well versed in PPE and that patients get PPE when they arrive.

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Harrogate man claims he caught coronavirus in hospital

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