Coronavirus ‘pods’ being installed at Hartlepool Hospital say health chiefs

The pods at University Hospital Hartlepool and University Hospital of North Tees are portable office cabins near to the Urgent Care Centres where any suspected cases of coronavirus can be assessed.

The trust will be given notice of any patient requiring an assessment in the isolation pod.

The instalment of the pods comes as eight people have tested positive for the virus in the UK.

The pods, a government requirement at all hospitals, are not ‘drop in’ centres for anyone who may suspect they are demonstrating signs of the virus.

Health bosses say the advice from the trust remains the same: anyone concerned about coronavirus should call NHS 111 for expert advice and stay at home.

There are now more than 42,200 confirmed cases across China and more than 1,000 people have died from the illness.

Julie Lane, chief nurse and director of patient safety and quality of North Tees and Hartlepool NHS Foundation Trust, said: “The pods are simply a required precaution to ensure we have an isolated area where anyone referred to us with suspected coronavirus can be assessed in safety

“I would like to stress that the pods are not a drop in centres, nor should they be taken as confirmation of any local cases.

“At present, we have no cases of coronavirus in our Trust.”

Tips on how to avoid catching and spreading germs:

·Always carry tissues with you and use them to catch your cough or sneeze. Then bin the tissue and wash your hands, or use a sanitiser gel.

·Wash your hands often with soap and water, especially after using public transport. Use a sanitiser gel if soap and water are not available.

·Avoid touching your eyes, nose and mouth with unwashed hands.

·Avoid close contact with people who are unwell.

·If you have arrived back from China or specified areas in the last 14 days, follow the government advice for returning travellers.

For up-to-date advice on coronavirus, call NHS 111 or visit: www.gov.uk/coronavirus