Cabbies going the extra mile
EALING, HILLINGDON AND HOUNSLOW HOSPITALS SET SELF-CONTAINED UNITS
PODS to isolate people with symptoms of coronavirus have now been set up at hospitals across West London.
West Middlesex University Hospital in Hounslow, Ealing Hospital and Hillingdon Hospital are following national guidance to stop the respiratory disease, known as Covid-19, from spreading.
In London an increasing number of schools are closing or sending some pupils home as people are tested for the virus.
So far maore than 20,000 people have been tested for the virus in the
A WEST London taxi firm is taking extraordinary steps to try and prevent coronavirus spreading among passengers.
Drivers at Redwoods of Heathrow are spraying all parts of their vehicles which passengers touch with anti-bacterial spray after every journey.
The company, based in West Drayton, says all 50 of its drivers have been provided with the spray to carry out regular cleaning.
Simon Field, customer service manager at Redwoods of Heathrow, said: “Obviously [coronavirus] is a big story at the moment and as a public transport provider we are picking up a lot of customers and we want to play our part in order to keep the virus under control.
“It’s important. Everyone can play a part in helping to prevent coronavirus [from spreading] and anything that we can do as a mini cab company is great.
“The potential for the virus to spread is great for a mini cab company and we are just trying to play our part.”
Redwoods of Heathrow operate mainly in the West London area, and many of its passengers either want dropping off or picking up from Heathrow Airport .
Drivers were made aware of the new policy on Tuesday March 3, and have been told to spray all parts of their vehicles that passengers
UK, with more than 200 confirmed positive cases. A cancer clinician from Mount Vernon hospital in Hillingdon was among those checked for the illness, but has since been given the all clear.
An NHS spokesperson said: “Following national guidance all hospitals are putting in place NHS 111 pods at their emergency departments, so that anyone attending hospital with symptoms of the virus can be kept isolated from other patients and avoid causing unnecessary pressure in A&E.
“Over the coming weeks many more of us may need to self-isolate at home for a period to reduce this virus’s spread. Everyone can continue to play their part by taking simple steps such as washing hands to come into contact. This includes door handles and the inside seating.
Mr Field believes the extra cleaning will help reduce the chances of drivers contracting coronavirus as well.
“Obviously it’s a concern for everybody,” said Mr Field.
“It’s a huge problem and the drivers are exposed like anyone else in the public industry.
“Anything we can do as a company and our drivers can do can will help prevent the spread.”
So far several schools and offices across the capital have closed while British Airways and Ryanair have also cancelled hundreds of flights due to the coronavirus outbreak and a downturn in prevent the spread of infection and calling NHS 111 first before going to the doctors or A&E if they have any concerns about or show symptoms of coronavirus.”
Ealing Hospital has also reassured patients that hospital wards are open as usual, and outpatient and planned appointments are going ahead as scheduled, according to the hospital’s website.
The risk to the general public of contracting the disease is said to be ‘moderate’ and Public Health England is urging people to follow its advice on how to minimise the threat.
This includes always carrying tissues, disposing them in the bin and washing your hands with soap and water often. bookings. Flights departing from Gatwick Airport and Heathrow Airport over the next month have been affected, with both airlines citing a lack of demand for travel to some parts of the world caused by Covid-19 for the decision.
Mr Field said the company has noticed a lack of passengers needing lifts to and from Heathrow since the virus outbreak.
“We have seen a decrease [in trade],” he said.
“In the drop off areas, which tend to get very congested, there is a lot less vehicles. With airlines actually getting banned from flying to certain countries it has definitely affected the amount of vehicles you see.”
A coronavirus pod at University College Hospital for covid-19 patient
It adds to avoid touching your nose, eyes and mouth with unwashed hands, and to avoid close contact with people who are unwell.