Thousands of intensive care patients to be tested for coronavirus over fears it’s spreading through the NHS
INTENSIVE care patients will be tested for coronavirus over fears it may be spreading in the NHS.
Hospitals have been told to check any critical patient with a cough, an NHS letter reveals.
Checks will even apply to those who have not been abroad or had contact with a high-risk person.
There are around 6,000 intensive care beds in the health service.
As coronavirus continues to spread in the UK, hospitals have also been told to start treating victims in normal wards – not in isolation.
The memo from NHS strategic incident director Prof Keith Willett is marked “official sensitive” and called “COVID-19 NHS preparedness and response”.
It says medics should try to treat more patients through Skype appointments.
Prof Willett said: “It is essential that we detect cases admitted to intensive care at the earliest opportunity.”
What you can do to help in the UK fight against coronavirus
- Follow public health advice on handwashing regularly for at least 20 seconds
- Reduce the impact and spread of misinformation by only relying on trusted sources like the NHS website, and Gov.UK
- Check and follow the latest FCO travel advice when travelling and planning to travel
- Ensure you and your family's vaccinations are up to date to reduce pressures on the NHS
- Checking on vulnerable family, friends and neighbours
- Using NHs 111, pharmacies and GPs responsible, and only go the hospital when you really need to
- Being understanding of the pressures the health and social care systems may be under and receptive to changes
- Accepting that the advice for managing the illness for most people will be self-isolating at home and over the counter medications
- Checking for new advice as the situation changes
GOT a story? RING The Sun on 0207 782 4104 or WHATSAPP on 07423720250 or EMAIL exclusive@the-sun.co.uk