Welsh Ambulance Service crew member tests positive for coronavirus

A member of Welsh Ambulance Service staff has tested positive for coronavirus.

The staff member was confirmed to have been tested positive for Covid-19 on Saturday.

No more details about the patient are being released in order to protect their identity.

It comes as Public Health Wales confirmed the first person has died in Wales after being infected with coronavirus - with the total number of confirmed cases now at 124.

Jason Killens, Chief Executive at the Welsh Ambulance Services NHS Trust, said: “It was confirmed on Saturday that an Emergency Medical Service colleague has tested positive for Coronavirus.

"Patient confidentiality prevents us from disclosing any further detail, except to say that the individual is being fully supported by the organisation and we wish them a full and speedy recovery.

"There are well established procedures that are followed in a case like this, and the Welsh Ambulance Service together with Public Health Wales are taking all of the necessary next steps to manage the situation.

It comes as other ambulance service staff raised concerns about the availability of protective equipment for when they attend suspected coronavirus patients.

One said: "We have stock issues with masks." They added, "We are going to Covid calls without full or adequate protection equipment. I'm anxious as I don't want to bring the infection home to my family."

The Welsh Ambulance Service acknowledged the concerns among its front line staff and said that there are challenges with the supply of equipment.

A source said it was not possible to guarantee that every part of the service has a full complement of the protective equipment required to deal with coronavirus patients but that supplies were always coming in.

They said it is a "challenge" to ensure all staff are up to speed with developments as the situation and advise around the virus is constantly changing.

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