Coronavirus ‘pods’ installed at hospitals
EMERGENCY DEPARTMENTS ACROSS GREATER MANCHESTER TOLD TO BUILD ISOLATION UNITS
CORONAVIRUS quarantine pods have been installed at every hospital in Greater Manchester.
The isolation areas have been set up to treat suspected cases of the virus, known as COVID-19, and prevent contamination inside hospitals.
The total number of cases in the UK currently stands at 13.
All A&E units have been instructed to install the isolation pods as part of a national strategy to tackle the spread of the virus.
Signs have been pinned up outside emergency units with instructions for those who may have symptoms.
Most advise people who have arrived on hospital sites to call a dedicated coronavirus phone number, and stay away from the A&E unit.
Once inside the ‘pods,’ people are dealt with by clinicians wearing protective clothing, known as hazmats.
The pods vary in form from site to site, but most consist of a trailer or mobile fenced off with a Portaloo.
NHS chiefs say the quarantine units are designed to protect staff and patients inside hospitals from contracting COVID-19.
The pods are visible outside Royal Manchester Children’s Hospital, Manchester Royal Infirmary, Fairfield Hospital in Bury, Stepping Hill Hospital and Wythenshawe Hospital.
Information and warnings have also been posted at GP surgeries, workplaces and gyms across the region.
NHS England are operating on a ‘prepare for the worst and hope for the best’ mantra .
An NHS spokesperson said: “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 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.”
Across the UK, tests for COVID-19 are being stepped-up to include people displaying flu-like symptoms at 100 GP surgeries and eight hospitals.
The tests will provide an ‘early warning’ if the virus is spreading, Public Health England’s Prof Paul Cosford said. One of the hospitals where tests are being carried out is in Manchester.
Italy has in recent days become Europe’s worst-affected country, with a surge in cases that appear to have spread to Austria, Croatia and Switzerland.
Health Secretary Matt Hancock told the House of Commons that it was important not to overreact in response to the outbreak. He also said UK employers had been sent guidance telling them staff who are asked to self-isolate are entitled to take sick leave.
For more information about coronavirus, visit www.gov.uk/coronavirus.