Nearly a quarter of people who have died from Covid-19 in Wales were infected in hospital, figures obtained by Newyddion S4C have revealed.
Freedom of Information requests have shown there have been 1,860 patient deaths up to 1 May, 2021, where they "definitely" or "probably" caught it in hospital, tests results showed.
Hospital acquired infections were a significant problem during the pandemic in Wales but the devastating scale has only just been revealed.
Throughout the crisis, Labour ministers insisted hospital-acquired infections were ‘not of out control’ and that lessons were being learnt from outbreaks.
Commenting on the figures, Welsh Conservative Shadow Health Minister, Russell George MS said:
“These are devastating figures, and my deepest sympathies go out to the families of those people who tragically died after they contracted Covid in a hospital after being admitted for other reasons.
“Throughout the pandemic we saw worryingly high rates of hospital-acquired Covid infections across Wales, but after the first major outbreak at Wrexham Maelor, Labour ministers consistently told us they were learning lessons and implementing stronger protocols.
“Our doctors, nurses, and other frontline staff did magnificent job under very challenging circumstances, but despite the assurances from various ministers, it’s clear lessons were not learnt by the Welsh Labour Government and preventative measures were not strengthened.
“This revelation reinforces the importance of ensuring there is a Wales-specific COVID inquiry. Decisions made in Wales had a direct impact on lives here in Wales, and they should be put under the microscope of an independent public inquiry here in Wales.
“Ministers can no longer shirk away from such a process as we owe it to the families who lost loved ones to ensure they have answers, and that Wales learns the lessons from the past 18 months and is fully prepared for any future pandemic.”
