Guests in SOS plea as group set to go
GUESTS quarantined in Tenerife wrote “SOS” on their windows as some British holidaymakers are set to leave the coronavirus-hit hotel.
They have been trapped in the H10 Costa Adeje Palace since four Italian tourists were infected with the condition.
But 130, of which 50 are British, of the 700-plus guests are thought to have been cleared to leave the resort and were expected to start heading out late last night.
Although some tourists confined themselves to their rooms and balconies wearing surgical masks and gloves, others headed to the busy hotel pool in defiance of the risk.
Bikini-wearing guests donned surgical masks to soak up the sun at the poolside.
Infected
Meanwhile, the crisis deepened in the UK yesterday after three more patients tested positive for Covid-19, taking the total number to 16.
One of the new UK patients, from Derbyshire, was infected on holiday in Tenerife and the other in northern Italy.
The Derbyshire case led to Burbage Primary School in Buxton – where the patient is a parent – to close. Nearby Buxton Medical Practice also urged patients not to attend yesterday.
The new victims are being treated at specialist infection centres at the Royal Free Hospital, north London, and the Royal Liverpool Hospital.
England’s chief medical officer, Professor Chris Whitty, warned onward transmission between people in the UK was “a matter of time in my view”.
A Foreign Office spokesman said: “We are seeking clarification from the Canary Islands authorities following their announcement that 130 tourists of different nationalities will be granted permission to leave the Costa Adeje Palace Hotel.
“We continue to offer support to British nationals at the hotel.”
Across Europe, Italy now has 447 cases and 17 deaths from the virus, while Denmark has also seen its first case.
British holidaymakers returning from northern Italy have been told they may need to selfisolate to stop the spread.
However, pub chiefs in Tenerife insisted it is business as usual. Roberto Ucelay, president of the Association of South Tenerife Entrepreneurs, said: “The people in the hotel are working, the staff are committed to the service of the hotel.
“All the island is working normally. It’s bad luck that a few people got infected and they are hospitalised but the hospital services and the public health service in Spain is very good.”
Tenerife’s bars are still rammed with young British tourists. Managers are telling party-goers in the packed strip in Las Americas not to worry. PR manager Kyle, who works late-night bar Yardy’s, said: at
“There’s nothing to worry about. There is one case.
“You won’t die unless you’re elderly or terminally ill.”
A club rep for Jumpin Jack’s said: “Getting drunk would be an easy way to catch it since everyone’s sharing drinks – but no-one here will be affected.
“No-one is worried.”