Hospitals ‘ready for coronavirus’

LEICESTER’S hospitals have reassured residents that measures are in place should they need to treat patients with coronavirus.

A report set to go before health bosses explained that the trust is ready to deal with outbreaks of infection.

Staff have been briefed and will continue to be updated as the situation develops.

So far, eight cases have been confirmed in the UK.

Two members of one family tested positive for the virus and are being treated at a hospital in Newcastle. A third patient, who caught the infection in Singapore, is being treated in London. And since then there have been further confirmed cases including that of a GP in Brighton.

Last week, a Leicestershire patient claimed hospitals were not prepared to deal with potential cases of the disease, which originated in Wuhan, China.

But, in his monthly update to the University Hospitals of Leicester trust board, chief executive John Adler said: “University Hospitals of Leicester already has plans in place to support staff and respond to outbreaks of infection.

“These plans are reviewed and updated in line with the latest available guidance and direction from Public Health England, which oversees the public health response.

“We are updating and briefing staff regularly as the situation evolves and our response plans are available for staff to access on a dedicated page on our intranet.

“Training is also under way to ensure clinical teams are well prepared. The ongoing outbreak is an evolving situation and our teams are working closely with our partners to ensure any response is coordinated and effective.”

A total of 1,466 passengers and 95 staff arrived in the UK on direct flights from Wuhan between January 10 and 24. Of these, 162 passengers and 53 crew have left the UK and 1,107 are now outside of the incubation period.