Alarming Rise in People in H&F Testing Positive for Covid-19
Public Health England daily dashboard shows almost 90 extra cases over weekend
The latest figures from Public Health England, published yesterday, Sunday 26 April show that 592 people in our borough have now tested positive for Covid-19.
This appears to be a rather alarming rise of almost 90 cases since Thursday, 23 April when the figures showed that 504 people in Hammersmith & Fulham had tested positive for COVID-19.
In the previous few days, the numbers had slowed to an average of around ten cases a day, appearing to support claims that social distancing is beginning to work.
Our borough has now overtaken neighbouring Kensington and Chelsea which recorded 451 cases on Sunday, a rise of just 28 since Thursday when the figure was 423.
The totals have also slowed in Westminster, where the nuber rose from 570 in Thursday to 578 on Sunday and Wandsworth, where the total rosed from 871 to 889.
The number of people testing positive in H&F has climbed daily since 25 March, when just eight cases were recorded and has more than 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 110,203 in England and 152,840 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 18,419 people in England and 20,732 people in the UK have sadly died in hospital of the virus.
The continuing outbreak means that 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