Exhausted nurses at 'critical' coronavirus London hospital wear bin bags to protect themselves from deadly bug
EXHAUSTED nurses at the London hospital that has already become overwhelmed by the coronvavirus have shared photos wearing bin bags to protect themselves.
Northwick Park Hospital in North West London yesterday said it had no critical care beds left after a surge of coronavirus patients were admitted.
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Six people have died at the hospital so far and dozens more are struggling to breathe in intensive care.
Northwick Park declared a critical incident, but it was stood down 24 hours later after patients were transferred to nearby hospitals to free up space.
However, a senior nurse at the hospital told The Daily Telegraph that Northwick Park was "likely to run our of room again" within hours.
The coronavirus death toll in UK yesterday rose to 177 with 40 more deaths in 24 hours and more than 700 new cases were recorded in a day – hitting 3,983 up from 3,269.
The nurse, who did not want to be named, pleaded for masks, gowns and gloves as she told the paper how staff have been forced to wear clinical waste bags on their feet and heads for protection.
Images given to the Telegraph show nurses wearing yellow and black bin bags over their hair.
She said: "We need proper PPE kit now, or nurses and doctors are going to die. It’s as simple as that.
"We’re treating our own colleagues on the ward after they caught the virus from patients. How can that be right?
The nurse heartbreakingly added: "And the worst part is that we can’t allow their relatives in to say goodbye.
"Even our own families don’t want us to come home in case we bring back the disease."
It comes as an army of 65,000 retired nurses and doctors have been told “Your NHS Needs You” in the battle against coronavirus.
Medical students and trainee nurses are also being invited to join the fight — while members of the public have been asked if they can help, too.
The jump in fatalities marks a 30 per cent rise in 24 hours from 144 deaths across the UK.
Seventy-two of the overall 177 deaths have so far been recorded in the capital – with 18 recorded in the past 24 hours.
The patients killed by the bug were aged between 50 and 99, with all suffering underlying health conditions.
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Yesterday, Boris Johnson made an unprecedented announcement by ordering all venues to shut their doors as the Government tries to battle the outbreak.
Cinemas, gyms, leisure centres and cafes have closed across Britain as restaurants will still be allowed to do takeaways, but supermarkets are unlikely to be affected at this stage.
The PM explained this would then be reviewed each month to see if it was safe for the venues to reopen.
At the historic press conference, Chancellor Rishi Sunak also unveiled tax cuts and wage boosts in a bid to relieve income lost due to coronavirus.
Mr Sunak revealed a package to pay wages of up to 80 per cent for people who are not working but kept on payroll.
Matt Hancock had earlier pleaded with the public to follow Government advice, insisting it was the only way to get it dealt with in 12-weeks.
He explained: “If people follow the advice, we can get through this quicker.
“Even if you don't think you are personally at risk because you are younger, which by the way isn't true, this affects everybody, if you don't follow the advice we are going to have to keep these measures in place for longer.
“For everyone's sake I think everyone needs to pull together and listen to the experts.”
Northwick Park is run by London North West University Healthcare Trust, which has since reported six deaths related to coronavirus.
A spokesperson for London North West University Healthcare NHS Trust told the paper: "We can confirm that our Critical Incident status has been stood down.
"Critical care capacity for patients with coronavirus is being organised on a cross-London basis so that hospitals and organisations work together to deliver the best possible care for patients and that is what has happened in this case."
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