Over 600 People in H&F Have Now Tested Positive for COVID-19


But Public Health England's daily dashboard shows new cases now dwindling

 

The latest figures from Public Health England, published yesterday, Tuesday 28 April show that 602 people in Hammersmith & Fulham have now tested positive for Covid-19.

The good news is that this is only three extra cases since Monday 27 April when Public Health England's daily dashboard showed a total of 599 people in our borough testing positive.

This is by far the smallest daily rise to date, following a rise of seven case the day before, and seems to support claims that social distancing is beginning to work.

Our borough has now overtaken neighbouring Kensington and Chelsea which also recorded just three new cases on Tuesday, after no rise at all on Monday, with the total now at 454.

The totals have also slowed in Westminster, where the number rose by just two from 583 on Monday to 585 on Tuesday and Wandsworth, where there was a rise of five 893 to 898, after a rise of four the previous day.

The number of people testing positive in H&F has risen daily though hopefully now in dwindling numbers, since 25 March when just eight cases were recorded. The figures are updated daily here.

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 28, 2020