A patient at Midpark Hospital in Dumfries has died after testing positive for Covid.
Admissions and visiting to Cree Ward were halted following an outbreak of the virus earlier this month.
Eight patients tested positive for Covid and one has since died.
A spokesman for Dumfries and Galloway Health and Social Care Partnership said: “Midpark Hospital is an inpatient mental health facility and Cree Ward provides inpatient support to many elderly patients, including some at end of life.
“Very sadly, within the past week an inpatient at Cree Ward has died after having tested positive for Covid-19 within 28 days prior to their death.”
The spokesman added: “This has been an extremely difficult time for patients and families at Midpark as well as for staff who mounted an extremely professional response to this outbreak as soon as it was identified.
“The last few weeks have seen record case numbers in the community across Dumfries and Galloway.
“The new Omicron variant of Covid-19 is very highly infectious, even more than the previous variant, which means that containing its spread is not easy - even when it is being met with all the correct protocols including regular testing and vaccinations.
“Coronavirus can result in mild symptoms and sometimes none at all and this can mask its spread to more vulnerable individuals where it can pose a high degree of risk.
“It is still essential to follow the guidance around use of PPE such as face coverings, limiting social interactions, good hygiene and vaccination – but these are not by any means absolute guarantees of protection.
“It is essential that anyone experiencing any of the symptoms of Covid immediately self-isolates and arranges to be tested and that they continue to self-isolate until they obtain a result.
“The symptoms of Covid-19 can be mild but this does not reduce the level of risk to others from a virus with potentially serious health implications.
“If in any doubt at all, please immediately self-isolate, arrange to be tested and work with our Test and Protect team to help limit any further spread.
By yesterday, 13 days had elapsed since the last positive case was identified at Midpark Hospital on January 4.
