Hazmat Suits At Ealing Hospital Spark Coronavirus Fears

Patient was transferred to Northwick Park and given all clear

Images from Ealing Hospital posted online showing health workers in Hazmat suits sparked major fears that the coronavirus may have hit the area.

The footage was posted on Monday on the social media platform twitter by @mobzc and had 158,000 views.

A spokesperson for Ealing Hospital told Ealing Today that a patient had been taken to Ealing Hospital and was then transferred to Northwick Park to be tested for the virus (COVID-19) and found to be negative.

They continued: ''Our hospitals and wards are open as usual and patients should continue to attend outpatient appointments or planned treatments.

 

''The risk to the general public is moderate. If you have arrived back in from mainland China, Thailand, Japan, Republic of Korea, Hong Kong, Taiwan, Singapore, Malaysia or Macau within 14 days, or have been in close contact with someone with confirmed coronavirus, call NHS 111 and follow advice from nhs.uk. "

You are asked not to attend A&E, urgent care or walk-in centres, or your GP.

We have requested information from Department of Health as to why the patient had to be transferred and couldnt be tested in Ealing Hospital and await reply.

Globally, the respiratory infection has claimed more than 1,800 lives and the outbreak, originating in the Chinese city of Wuhan, has been declared a global emergency by The World Health Organization (WHO).

Latest figures in the UK (18th February) are that a total of 4,916 people have been tested, of which 4,907 were confirmed negative and 9 positive. The UK Chief Medical Officer has raised the risk to the public from low to moderate.

Advice is, if you have a cough, or fever or shortness of breath and have visited any of the following areas in the last 14 days

  • China
  • Thailand
  • Japan
  • Republic of Korea
  • Hong Kong
  • Taiwan
  • Singapore
  • Malaysia
  • Macau

Stay indoors and call NHS 111 informing them of your recent travel to the city.

If you have been to Wuhan, or Hubei province, in the last 14 days, stay indoors and avoid contact with others where possible, and call 111 informing them of your travel. Do this even if you do not have any symptoms.

Further advice can be found from the GOV.UK Public Health Blog here.

February 20, 2020