Two cases of coronavirus confirmed at Royal Papworth Hospital in Cambridge
The Royal Papworth Hospital in Cambridge has identified two cases of coronavirus in its inpatient wards.
Both patients were already being treated in isolation because it was suspected they had Covid-19.
Medical director Roger Hall said: “Staff at Royal Papworth Hospital have been working incredibly hard to prepare for treating patients with Covid-19.
“However, we all have an important role to play to prevent the virus spreading to those around us.
“Please be scrupulous with your hygiene, avoid touching your eyes, nose or mouth and use and then bin tissues if you cough or sneeze. If you are worried about symptoms, please use the new 111 online service for help and advice.”
The hospital said patients with appointments or those who need to attend for urgent or emergency care should still come to hospital, unless they have been contacted and told otherwise.
To minimise the risk to staff and patients, the hospital, on Cambridge Biomedical Campus, has restricted visitors to one adult visitor per patient per day, with no children under 12 allowed, and has asked other non-essential visitors not to come to the hospital.
Prior to these two cases, there were 14 confirmed cases in Cambridgeshire as of 9am on Wednesday March 18.
Addenbrooke’s had reported four cases of coronavirus.
Addenbrooke’s medical director Dr Ashley Shaw said: “Patients with outpatient and inpatient appointments should still come to hospital unless they have a new onset cough or fever in which case they should phone the number given in their appointment letter to check if they should attend.
“People who need to attend for urgent or emergency care and who have a new-onset cough or fever should let staff know as soon as they arrive so that they can be appropriately managed. As always, visitors with cold or flu like symptoms should not visit patients in our hospitals.”
Nationally, 2,626 cases of coronavirus have been confirmed in the UK and 104 people have died, according to Public Health England.
The actual number of cases is thought to be much higher - potentially between 35,000 and 50,000 because tests are now confined to those in hospital. There have been 53,595 other people tested.
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