A number of cancer patients at an Edinburgh hospital have died after a Covid-19 outbreak in their ward.
It is understood that as many as four may have died at Western General Hospital, and six more have tested positive.
NHS Lothian has launched an investigation into how the virus got into the closely guarded environment, with no further admissions allowed for the time being.
The health board has discharged patients from the cancer ward but some are being kept in over the weekend.
The trust has not confirmed how many people have died after contracting coronavirus, but said it was fewer than five.
Dr Donald Inverarity, consultant microbiologist with NHS Lothian, said: “Our thoughts are with the family of the deceased and I would like to express our sincere condolences.
“A multidisciplinary Incident Management Team was immediately established and all necessary infection control measures are in place.
“The situation will continue to be reviewed and monitored very closely.”
Patients who would normally spend the weekend at home with family before returning to hospital on Monday are being asked to remain on the ward to reduce the risk of spreading the virus.
The health board’s Health Protection Team and the nationwide Test and Protect teams are carrying out contact tracing of visitors and outpatients, where necessary.
Dr Inverarity said: “The enhanced outbreak testing regime allows us to identify staff and patients who have the virus before they become symptomatic.
“‘That gives us the opportunity to introduce enhanced infection control measures and barriers sooner than we would previously have been able.
“It allows staff to begin self-isolation and patients to be moved into cohorted groups before they become symptomatic, which in turn reduces the likelihood of passing on the infection to others.
“Patient safety is our main priority and while we understand that the request not to go home for the weekend may be upsetting, it is necessary.”
Scottish Conservative health spokesman, Donald Cameron MSP, said: “This is tragic, heartbreaking news for the families who have lost loved ones, and there will be a huge amount of concern that those still on the ward could be at risk.
“We urge the Scottish Government to take action to prevent this situation spiralling any further, and to investigate how this happened immediately.”
