The departement 1A was closed after patients and nursing staff were diagnosed with an infectious skin condition called scabies (as reported). Mainly, the department is specialised in internal medicine. According to first findings a patient had brought the scabies infection into the hospital.

The entire department was cleaned and disinfected in several steps over the weekend. All beds were replaced, every curtain taken down and washed, floors and surfaces were wiped. „Our measures have worked out“, explained hospital director Marc Heiderhoff. „We secured that the department is entirely mite-free now.“ An overlap with other departments or other areas of the hospital was avooided this way. „With the reopening of the department, the normal operating schedule is back on track“, Heiderhoff said.

According to a hospital spokesperson, all affected patients and employees were successfully treated. They received a suitable cream which had to be used only once but on the entire body to ensure getting rid of all the parasites. The medical cream had to stay on the body for 12 hours.