A NUMBER of patients at a dementia care hospital in Greenock have died following a coronavirus outbreak.

NHS Greater Glasgow & Clyde health board confirmed that patients have passed away at Orchard View in Larkfield Road, reports our sister title The Greenock Telegraph. 

The facility's Willow ward has been closed as a result of the outbreak.

Board bosses say they are unable to provide specific case numbers 'in order to protect patient confidentiality'.

The 42-bed unit provides continuing care for adults and older people, with a focus on dementia.

A source contacted the Tele to express concern over positive cases in one of its two wards.

She claimed family members had been advised that staff and patients had been vaccinated - and was shocked to learn that her loved one had since tested positive for the virus.

The woman, who did not want to be named, said: "I heard that the virus was rife and spreading.

"I cannot understand why there's an outbreak if staff and patients have been vaccinated.

"Only one family member is allowed in to see each patient at a time.

"It's really concerning."

Management at NHS Greater Glasgow & Clyde say they offer their sincere condolences to the families of loved ones who have passed away at Orchard View as a result of the outbreak.

They stated that staff and patients were being tested regularly.

A spokesperson for the health board added: "We appreciate how worrying and difficult a time this is for our patients and their families and we apologise for any anxiety caused.

"Following identification of Covid-19 cases within the Willow ward of the Orchard View facility, we have taken additional steps to protect our patients.

"The ward remains closed to new admissions.

"All staff are being tested twice weekly and patients who remain negative will be re-tested every four days until the ward reopens.

"Our staff continue to adhere to strict infection prevention and control guidelines during this time."