A CORONAVIRUS outbreak has been confirmed at a Tyne Valley hospital

A number of staff members at Ferndene Hospital in Prudhoe are currently self isolating after testing positive for the virus.

Gary O’Hare, executive director of nursing and chief operating officer at Cumbria, Northumberland, Tyne and Wear NHS Foundation Trust, confirmed had seen positive cases - but stressed that only a small number of staff were in isolation.

He said: “We can confirm that a small number of our workforce from Ferndene are self-isolating after testing positive for Covid-19.

“We have undertaken testing and contacting tracing and it would appear that these cases were a result of contact outside of work. We adhere to strict procedures on the use of PPE at all of our hospital sites.

“We have declared an outbreak in line with national guidance and are working closely with the regional Health Protection Unit following their protocols for the investigation and management of outbreaks.”

The £27million inpatient centre on the site of the former Prudhoe Hospital provides accommodation for children and young people from North East England and Cumbria.

A planning application, submitted by Cumbria, Northumberland, Tyne and Wear NHS Foundation Trust, was recently approved that will see the hospital provide medium secure facilities following upgrades to the building.

It is part of the trust’s aim to have its mental health facilities for young people under one roof.

The application was approved by county councillors despite opposition from residents of the nearby Humbles Wood Estate.

Cases of coronavirus have also been confirmed at more than 20 schools across Northumberland since they reopened at the start of the month.

Northumberland County Council have been contacted for comment on the issue.