465 People in H&F Have Now Tested Positive for Covid-19
Public Health England Dashboard shows rise of 60 cases over weekend
The latest figures from Public Health England, published yesterday, Sunday show that 465 people in Hammersmith & Fulham have now tested positive for COVID-19.
This is a rise of 60 cases over the weekend, though the total does appear to be slowing, with less than 100 recorded in the last week since Sunday 12 April, when the number was 370, and appears to support claims that social distancing is beginning to work.
Our borough has now overtaken neighbouring Kensington and Chelsea which recorded 407 people testing positive. .
However both are far below Westminster, with 551 to date and Wandsworth, where the total has reached 830.
The figure has climbed daily since 25 March, when just eight people in H&F had tested positive and has doubled since the end of March. The figures are updated daily here.
These latest figures show that the national total of people testing positive has now risen to 90,629 in England and 120,067 in the UK, though as those who are self-isolating with mild symptoms are not currently being tested, the actual total may be many times that.
The figures record that 16,060 people in the UK have sadly died of the virus including 596b in the previous day.
As the virus continues to spread, all wards in our local hospitals remain closed to visitors, apart from exceptional circumstances.
Chelsea and Westminster Hospital NHS Foundation Trust says: "We’re really sorry that we are not currently allowing visitors in our hospitals. This has been a difficult decision to make but we no longer feel we can prevent the risk of spreading the infection if we continue to allow visitors to our hospitals.
for a patient at end of life
one regular carer for a patient with additional needs, such as a patient with dementia
one parent/guardian for a child
one birth partner."
Chelsea and Wesminster Hospital
Imperial College Healthcare NHS Trust, which includes five local hospitals - Charing Cross, Hammersmith, Queen Charlotte's and Chelsea, St Mary's and the Western Eye, has a similar message, saying: " To help prevent the spread of infection, we’re really sorry that we are not currently allowing visitors in our hospitals.
" This has been a difficult decision to make but we no longer feel we can prevent the risk of spreading the infection if we continue to allow visitors to our hospitals."
The trust adds that visitors will only be considered in exceptional circumstances, including:
for a patient at end of life
one regular carer for a patient with additional needs, such as a patient with dementia
one parent/guardian for a child
one birth partner
However the trust adds: " We will do our best to be flexible if there are exceptional circumstances, such as patients who need carers. Please speak to the nurse in charge if you have any concerns. "
Both hospital trusts say most outpatient appointments are now being replaced by phone or video consultations.
Imperial College Healthcare NHS Trust says: "We are continuously revising our plans to help us concentrate our efforts on those who need care most urgently and best protect our patients and staff from the risk of coronavirus.
"Unless we have asked you to come into hospital, most face-to-face outpatient appointments are being replaced by telephone or video consultations.
"For some services such as maternity, we will contact you to discuss if there are any changes to your booked appointment, otherwise please attend as planned."
Chelsea and Westminster says: " Most outpatient appointments are either carried out by phone or video, or rescheduled. Non-urgent elective or day case procedures will be delayed. You will hear from us if this is the case.
"We apologise if you receive multiple conflicting text reminder messages. Please follow the advice in the last text message you receive from us."
You can find the latest information and advice on the coronavirus outbreak from Public Health England here.
April 17, 2020