Latest
BREAKING POINT
London hospital declares ‘critical incident’ as intensive care unit is 100% full in coronavirus crisis
A LONDON hospital has declared a "critical incident" with its intensive care unit 100% full amid the coronavirus crisis.
Northwick Park Hospital has become overwhelmed with COVID-19 patients as London is the worst-hit area in the UK.
⚠️ Read our coronavirus live blog for the latest news & updates
It comes as the death toll rises to 177 and the UK cases are at 3,983.
A senior director at another London acute trust : “Given we’re in the low foothills of this virus, this is f***ing petrifying."
A message sent to staff at Northwick last night said: "I am writing to let you know that we have this evening declared a ‘critical incident’ in relation to our critical care capacity at Northwick Park Hospital.
"This is due to an increasing number of patients with Covid-19.
“This means that we currently do not have enough space for patients requiring critical care.
“As part of our system resilience plans, we have contacted our partners in the North West London sector this evening to assist with the safe transfer of patients off of the Northwick Park site”
The hospital is run by London North West University Healthcare Trust - which has reported six deaths related to coronavirus at Northwick Park.
The senior doctor added: "The thing people aren’t really talking about yet is that we are going to have to quickly agree some clinical thresholds for admissions to intensive care.
"This is what the Italians have had to do, and whether it’s set at 60 or whatever, we are going to have to do something similar. There’s no way we’re going to be able to scale up to the level we need otherwise."
CORONAVIRUS CRISIS - BE IN THE KNOW
Get the latest coronavirus news, facts and figures from around the world - plus essential advice for you and your family.
To receive our Covid-19 newsletter in your inbox every tea time, .
To follow us on Facebook, simply .
Today we saw distressing footage of coronavirus patients in Italy wearing “plastic bubbles” on their heads and gasping for air.
The video was taken in an emergency ward in Bergamo hospital, Lombardy, as the country's death rate surged above China's with 3,405 people dead.
In the clip, hazmat suit-wearing medics rush between patients in a tightly-packed ward, as victims can be heard gasping for air while ICU machines beep continuously.
Doctors in the region are reportedly calling the deadly outbreak “the Apocalypse” as the country recorded 427 new deaths in 24 hours - making it the new epicentre of the crisis with 41,000 recorded cases.
Dr Lorenzo Grazioli, who worked for the NHS in Leicester for one year, urged the UK to follow the example of China and Italy and lock everything down. He says it is the only way to beat the virus.
BRITS MUST DO THEIR PART
It comes after the Queen and the PM yesterday urged the UK to unite and behave responsibly to beat coronavirus within 12 weeks.
In a passionate plea, Mr Johnson said the bug can be “sent packing” if the public follow the strict new rules.
He urged the nation: "Don’t go to the pub, work from home and wash your hands."
Her Majesty said: “I am certain we are up to the challenge. Our history has been forged by people and communities coming together to work as one."
Her call came as the PM revealed scientific developments were on the horizon that could "turn the tide in the next 12 weeks".
The first British sufferer is trialling a treatment drug and vaccine testing will begin next month, while doctors will be able to ramp up testing for Covid-19 to 25,000 a day.
The PM added: “I know we are asking a huge amount from people but it is crucial for saving thousands of lives.
“It is by this combination of determined, collective action and scientific progress that we are already seeing we will succeed.”
Most children now have to stay at home from school, but key workers are allowed to still send their kids to school as they play a crucial role in Britain's fight against coronavirus.
The working heroes include nurses, police officers and delivery drivers and their children will be exempt from the decision to close classrooms from Monday to stop the spread of the deadly bug.
MOST READ IN NEWS
A No10 confirmed to The Sun Online only one parent needs to be eligible for kids to be allowed back to class.
The Government today named nine sectors "critical to the COVID-19 response" - Health and social care; Education and childcare; Key public services; Local and national government; Food and necessary goods; Public safety and national security; Transport and Utilities, communication and financial services.
Nicola Sturgeon warns Scots to stay in this weekend to stop coronavirus spreading