The official NHS statistics for the region were released on Wednesday and showed the death toll had risen from ten in a week.
But late yesterday, Westfield Care Home in Lockerbie announced they had lost two residents to the virus. Home manager Margaret Todd broke the news of the first death on Tuesday. And in a statement on social media yesterday she said: “Since this time we have had four further residents test positive in the home, it is with great sadness I can confirm one of which sadly lost their fight this morning. “I would like to reassure you we are following guidelines and doing our utmost to keep residents and staff protected and safe at this time.
“I would like to sincerely thank every one of you for your heartfelt messages of love and support for our team at Westfield, we are blessed with a very dedicated hard working team who are doing everything possible for the residents.”
Meanwhile, the NHS confirmed nine people are currently in intensive care and another 31 are receiving hospital treatment for covid-19, while there has been 163 positive tests overall locally. Health bosses have admitted they are preparing for a significant increase in patients in the coming days and weeks and in a bid to free up space at Dumfries and Galloway Royal Infirmary, palliative care patients have been moved to Midpark Hospital in the town.
The area’s NHS chief operating officer Julie White said: “The relocation of ward B1, commonly known as The Alexandra Unit, reflects moves to ensure that DGRI is well placed to handle increased demand resulting from covid-19, and that patients are in the most appropriate location. “Great care was taken to ensure the least disruption possible while a small number of patients were relocated to a dedicated area at Midpark.”
She also revealed they have been considering all their facilities across the area “in order to be ready for what could be a significant increase in demand over the coming days and weeks”, adding: “Work has been taking place to look at how services can be reconfigured and relocated to enable additional capacity to be created.”
