Coronavirus UK: NHS install assessment cabins in car parks to keep suspected victims away from A&Es
TEMPORARY cabins in car parks are the NHS’ latest weapon in the fight against the coronavirus outbreak — as the ninth UK case was confirmed.
Every hospital has been ordered to set up “assessment pods” to keep suspected victims away from A&Es.
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Anyone thought to have the virus can go there instead and call a specialist team on a dedicated phone.
Medics will then test the patient if they are deemed a potential risk — and if positive they will be taken to an isolation ward.
The pods — including one set up at Eastbourne District General Hospital in East Sussex — are decontaminated after each use to minimise the chances of the bug spreading.
It comes as...
- First coronavirus case is confirmed in London, taking total UK victims to nine
Officials scramble to trace anyone she's been in contact with - Man Utd star Odion Ighalo 'quarantined' and banned from training ground over deadly bug fears
- Hospitals to set up “assessment pods” to keep suspected victims away from A&Es
- Twelve schools placed on infection alert as panicked parents pull kids out of class
- Super-spreader Stephen Walsh is out of hospital as dozen others at risk are traced
On Wednesday afternoon, health officials confirmed a ninth case in the UK — and the first in London.
Officials said a woman who had travelled from China several days ago had tested positive for the bug.
She has been isolated on a specialist ward at St Thomas’ Hospital.
She is said to have developed symptoms after landing at Heathrow and called NHS 111.
Prof Chris Whitty, Chief Medical Officer for England said: “One further patient in England has tested positive for novel coronavirus (COVID-19), bringing the total number of cases in the UK to nine.
“This virus was passed on in China and the patient has now been transferred to a specialist NHS centre at Guy’s and St Thomas’ in London.”
A further 1,750 people tested in the UK have come back negative — including two prisoners at Bullingdon prison in Oxfordshire.
The global death toll from the epidemic has now reached 1,114, with about 45,000 infected.
Meanwhile, coronavirus “super spreader” Steve Walsh was discharged from hospital after a dramatic recovery.
The relieved 53-year-old released a statement thanking the NHS — and spoke of his joy at being back with his family.
The Scout leader said: “I’m happy to be home and feeling well.
“I want to give a big thank you to the NHS who have been great throughout and my thoughts are with everyone around the world who continues to be affected by the virus. It’s good to be back with my family.”
Mr Walsh, of Brighton, East Sussex, spent five days at a secure quarantine unit at St Thomas’ in central London.
He is believed to have passed on the virus to a number of people after contracting it on a business trip in Singapore.
On his way back to Britain, the father of two travelled to Les Contamines-Montjoie in France for a ski chalet break — and 11 people were infected there.
They included two GPs who returned to the UK before falling ill.
One worked in A&E at Worthing Hospital, West Sussex, as a locum for two days before being isolated.
Officials have since managed to successfully contact the unnamed doctor’s patients, who were advised to self-isolate.
Tim Loughton, MP for East Worthing and Shoreham, said the hospital was now coming under staffing pressure after a swathe of workers were put into quarantine as a precaution.
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Mr Loughton said: “The hospital have sent home for self-isolation a number of staff from various departments. What that means is the hospital is short of staff.”
A quarantine of 83 people airlifted back to the UK from China is expected to be lifted today.
The group, being held in Arrowe Park Hospital, Merseyside, have all tested negative for coronavirus.
One, Jasmine Siddle, had feared she would not be let out in time for her 10th birthday tomorrow.
Her dad Jeff, 54, of Prudhoe, Northumberland, said: “There’s a small outdoor area we can at least get some fresh air but it’s very limited what she can play.
“She has not had any contact with other children for more than two weeks although we are planning a small party for her.”
Jasmine, who was flown back from Wuhan with Jeff and her Chinese mum Sindy, 42, added: “It’s been quite a crazy experience, quite scary.
“The people are really nice here. I don’t get bored because I’ve got lots of books and get to do my homework.”
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She said of her friends: “I see them on FaceTime having fun and I wish I could go back home and be with them.”
A British honeymooner diagnosed with coronavirus on a cruise ship is also hoping to leave quarantine in Japan.
Alan Steele, from Wolverhampton, West Midlands, was moved into hospital last Friday from the Diamond Princess after testing positive.
But he has now recovered, with a first check coming back as negative for the disease.
He posted online: “Just received great news . . . my test showed negative to virus and have now been swabbed for 2nd test.
“If that comes back negative I get released."
His wife Wendy was still on board the cruise ship, with all 3,711 passengers and crew quarantined at Yokohama.
Brits David and Sally Abel, who were celebrating their 50th wedding anniversary, said passengers were kept awake by others crying at night.
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Sally said: “They are looking after us very well but obviously we are confined to our cabin and it’s getting harder.
“We are now into the second week, it seems an eternity.”
Tests are being carried out on the passengers, and Sally said: “What we are frightened of is if one of us is positive and the other negative and we are split up.”
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