THE VIRUS IN BRIEF

THIRTEEN temporary hospitals are being planned across the country to combat coronavirus, it emerged yesterday.

Military officials alongside senior NHS medics have examined five locations. Ministry of Defence sources have previously indicated there could be one site in every region of the UK. The Prime Minister’s spokesman said: “NHS England is actively preparing for a number of scenarios as the outbreak continues.”

Work is under way to convert the ExCeL exhibition centre into the NHS Nightingale Hospital, east London, equipped with ventilators and oxygen.

CARE workers forced into isolation without pay were handed a lifeline yesterday after The Care Workers’ Charity launched a Coronavirus Emergency Fund.

From Monday, those in lockdown will be able to apply for one-off payments.

Karolina Gerlich, of CWC, said government measures will not support self-isolating care workers sufficiently.

“We’re asking people to please support us in any way they can,” she added.To donate, visit https://www.justgiving.com/campaign/coronaviruscareworkersfund

NEXT has been forced into a U-turn over keeping warehouses open and asking workers to pick online orders at stores.

The fashion giant will no longer sell on its website after staff said they felt pressured to work – with some offered a 20 per cent pay rise to carry on.

Next said it “has listened very carefully” and “it is clear that many increasingly feel they should be at home in the current climate”.

The company at first said it was an “essential” service.

But after pressure from MPs and reports of workers in warehouses not adhering to social distancing, Next made its decision last night.