Major London hospital declares ‘critical incident’ as coronavirus cases soar

A major London hospital has declared a “critical incident” as the number of coronavirus cases are doubling, and the death rate is climbing.

Northwick Park Hospital in northwest London has confirmed it has reached “critical care capacity” and does not have any required space for patients needing “critical care.”

In an email seen by LondonLovesbusiness, Lisa Knight, Chief Nurse told colleagues across the NHS were informed on Thursday evening at 19:15 hours that “to be clear we are not declaring a major incident, but the current situation does warrant that special measures are put in place.”

The email added that the NHS are “working under considerable pressure” particularly in “critical car, theatres and in many of our acute services.”

In a letter seen by the Health Service Journal, the hospital said:  “I am writing to let you know that we have this evening declared a ‘critical incident’ in relation to our critical care capacity at Northwick Park Hospital.

“This is due to an increasing number of patients with Covid-19.

“This means that we currently do not have enough space for patients requiring critical care.

“As part of our system resilience plans, we have contacted our partners in the North West London sector this evening to assist with the safe transfer of patients off of the Northwick Park site”

An NHS London hospital have said they are so overwhelmed they are forced to turn coronavirus patients away to other hospitals.

Hancock said on Friday the government are ramping up the appeal to all Britons to “stay at home” to save lives.

Hancock told TalkRadio, “If you stay at home, you are saving lives.

“I know, of course, this is a more dangerous disease for older people but not exclusively, some young people get it too.”

Despite the governments clear message to all people to avoid all pubs and restaurants and implement “social distancing” many are not listening.

Wes Streeting, chairman of the London group of Labour MPs, told the Evening Standard, “The government must now take more direct action by ordering their closure and providing income protection for the workers affected.”

Sadiq Khan the Mayor of London said on Question Time there are already believed to be tens of thousands of infected Londoners as the death toll rapidly climbs across the capital.

Khan said, “This advice is designed to save lives, and it’s absolutely vital that all Londoners strictly follow the advice.”

Khan has warned all Londoners to stop using “public transport now” to halt the rapid spread of coronavirus across the capital.

Latest figures show that more than 55 Londoners have died from coronavirus and the latest report from the Scientific Advisory Group for Emergencies (SAGE) is alarming.

The SAGE report written on Monday and published on Friday, suggests that for every one death across London there could be thousands of infected Londoners.

This latest scientific report has evidence that allegedly dismisses the governments advice.

A well-known Italian doctor and politician has warned why London will be hardest hit area in the UK.

In an interview with Express.co.uk, Maurizio Brucchi, a renowned Italian doctor who also served as Mayor of Teramo, gave a stark warning to Londoners, the worst is yet to come.

Brucchi said, “In a press conference yesterday, the doctors who have arrived from Wuhan [China] to help us out have told us that our measures are not enough – that we need to be more restrictive.

“The numbers are growing, but what is concerning is that there have been more than 475 deaths in a day.