Covid patients aren't being isolated now?

[CosyCoffee]

An elderly relative is in hospital with terminal cancer, lung infection and breathing difficulties. Another patient on the ward has covid (sign on the door) but patients, visitors and staff are not wearing masks. Staff say the covid patient cannot be isolated in a side room as there are no side rooms.

I'm not sure how much can be done, I mean if there's no room then there's no room. I'm also not sure that masks provide much protection but may be wrong. Efforts are being made to get relative home but this is proving difficult. I'm really concerned that the NHS is in such a dire state.

Just wanted to get others' perspective on this as I'm trying to support family.

They don’t isolate any more foe covid, just like they don’t for flu or pneumonia.

I know they don't in general, I was just surprised they didn't on a ward of immune compromised lung patients.

Surprised staff aren't wearing masks, in the hospital where I work we have to wear them.

I think it depends on local policy. I work in ICU and we all wear surgical masks routinely on the unit but not in the corridors iykwim. If we have a covid patient they are isolated in a side room but we don't have to wear full PPE and NP3 masks.
I however do wear one as I've had long covid. I guess it depends how far on into the infection the person is. 10 days plus and still positive they are probably not infectious unless they still have a temperature.

As I understand it the person has only just tested positive after being on the ward.

At my hospital anyone who tests positive for covid goes into a side room on barrier. If they test positive while in a bay, then the whole bay is put on barrier. Any visitors have to wear ppe to visit these patients.

At our NHS trust, all staff still have to wear masks while on the ward or walking around corridors.

@Londonnight that is the kind of policy I would expect to be in place. Seems not to be in our area (Dudley Group).

The covid positive man has now been moved and surfaces disinfected, even curtains changed. Hopefully not too late for my vulnerable relative.

I too find it odd no masks are being worn... I had a visit in hospital today and everyone is made to wear masks.

In Scotland masks are still the norm in healthcare settings everyone must wear them when visiting, going to an appointment or staff. Only those who are in patients don't need to.