As the Coronavirus epidemic continues to gear towards its peak in the UK, contractors have been on site at Harrogate Convention Centre, where they’ve been making preparations for the centre to become a new ‘Nightingale’ hospital to treat COVID-19 patients.
Announcing just last night, the NHS has confirmed that the centre will treat up to 500 Coronavirus patients across the Yorkshire and Humber region, should there be a requirement.
The NHS has been forced to take urgent action against the virus, as just yesterday cases in Yorkshire hit over 1,952, and the UK’s total death toll rapidly rose past 2,921 – according to new data shared by Public Health England.
Centres across the country have begun to undergo transformations, with confirmed hospitals so far in London, Manchester and Birmingham.
Military staff have been helping with resource across the country to get the makeshift hospitals up and running, with the country preparing for an increase in cases over the coming weeks which will likely require medical attention.
Each Nightingale hospital will care for Coronavirus patients with moderate symptoms and will ensure the best possible care for those in need. Usual hospitals will, of course, remain fully functioning, with the ‘Nightingale’ hospitals specifically caring for Coronavirus patients who require a bed.
It is understood that the Harrogate site will open this weekend, however no official confirmations have been made so far. A formal announcement is expected to be made later this week by health secretary Matt Hancock.
There have been a total of 33,718 cases in the UK so far*, with 2,921 deaths linked to the virus.
*Data accurate as of 9am 2nd April according to Public Health England
[Featured image: Unsplash]
