Coventry & Warwickshire COVID-19 Portal

March 2020

LATEST NATIONAL PICTURE

• As of 9am on 18 March 2020, 56,221 people have been tested in the UK, of which

53,595 were confirmed negative and 2,626 were confirmed as positive. The total

number of UK deaths is 103.

• The transcript from yesterday’s daily press conference hosted by the Prime Minister

available here

• The latest health advice available here

LATEST LOCAL PICTURE

• The latest figures published by GOV.uk and PHE are: As of 9am on 18 March 2020,

there are a total of 14 cases in Coventry & Warwickshire.

LOCAL MEDIA HEADLINES

• Staff forced to cable-tie hand gel dispensers to beds at UHCW to stop thieves

Coventry Telegraph (Web), 18/03/2020, Unattributed

Hand sanitisers are being ripped from the walls at University Hospital Coventry as

thieves target hospitals trying to cope with the massive strain of the coronavirus

epidemic. Thefts of hand gels, toilet rolls and face masks had previously been

reported at Warwick Hospital, including in the A&E department, provoking anger

among staff. The use of hand sanitisers in hospitals has been described as a "life

and death" matter helping to guard against potentially fatal infections and superbugs

amid the escalating Covid-19 pandemic.

• Coventry's hospital bans children and elderly as it issues tight visiting

restrictions amid coronavirus outbreak

Coventry Telegraph (Web), 18/03/2020, Unattributed

Coventry's hospital has announced tighter visiting restrictions in light of the

coronavirus outbreak. The restrictions are in place at University Hospital Coventry

and Warwickshire as of today (March 18), and will see limits on both the number of

visitors allowed to see patients and the time in which they can do so. In a statement,

which was shared on social media as well as online, the hospital said the limitations are being put in place to "protect patients and staff". • Hospice forced to halt some of its services due to challenging times Nuneaton News, 18/03/2020, p.9, Claire Harrison Nuneaton hospice chiefs have taken 'tough decisions' to temporarily stop some of its services due to the coronavirus outbreak Bosses at the Mary Ann Evans Hospice have said that have had to take action due to the fact they offer care to of the most vulnerable patients in community, As a result, they are 'refocusing their efforts in the community' and are not services from its main home, based in the grounds of the George Eliot Hospital. In a statement provided to Nuneaton News, the hospice explained during the 'challenging times' they need the support of the community more than ever.

• HOSPITAL PRAISED !i FOR VIRUS RESPONSE Nuneaton News, 18/03/2020, p.1, Claire Harrison George Eliot Hospital staff have been praised for their efforts in the wake of crippling demands due to the coronavirus outbreak The already under-pressure Eliot has been hit even further by a surge in coronavirus referrals. Sadly, two people have died at the hospital as a result of the virus in the space of a week. A woman, aged in her 70s, sadly passed away on March 13, exactly a week after it was confirmed another patient had died. Both had underlying medical conditions. A hospital spokesperson said: "We would like to thank all of their staff for their incredible efforts."

• Hospital visit clampdown Nuneaton News, 18/03/2020, p.3, Unattributed Strict new visitor rules are in place at Nuneaton's maternity and special care baby unit - including no visits from any children-to protect mums and babies. Claire Price, associate director of midwifery at the George Eliot Hospital, has said 'difficult decisions' have had to be taken to safeguard the most vulnerable and visiting restrictions are now in place. "As a trust in order to minimize risk to pregnant women, unborn babies and our babies in the Special Care Baby Unit (SCBU), the difficult decision has been made to limit visiting in maternity and SCBU with immediate effect," she said in a statement.

• Coronavirus forces partial closure of two schools Coventry Telegraph (Web), 18/03/2020, Unattributed New visitor rules are now in place at Nuneaton's maternity and special care baby unit - including no visits from any children - to protect mums and babies. On Sunday (March 15) the George Eliot Hospital issued a statement following the second death of a patient from coronavirus. • Budget's welcome news for community pubs Nuneaton News, 18/03/2020, p.20, Unattributed Marcus Jone MP writes: "Finally, I am writing this column following my visit to George Eliot Hospital who, today (Friday, March 13), provided me with a valuable update regarding their response to the coronavirus outbreak They reassured me that they have strong systems in place and are ready to deal with the spread of Covid-19, however it manifests itself in our local area. They also highlighted and commended the resilience of their staff, who are working in this challenging and fast-moving situation to provide the best possible care."

• Staff forced to cable-tie gel dispensers to beds at hospital to stop thefts Coventry Telegraph, 19/03/2020, p.5, Josh Layton Thefts of hand gels, toilet rolls and face masks had previously been reported at Warwick Hospital, including in the A&E department, provoking anger among staff. The use of hand sanitisers in hospitals has been described as a "life and death" matter helping to guard against potentially fatal infections and superbugs amid the escalating Covid-19 pandemic. Glen Burley, CEO of South Warwickshire NHS Foundation Trust, condemned the thefts.

• Woman becomes second victim of Covid-19 at the George Eliot hospital Hinckley Times, 18/03/2020, p.5, Unattributed In a statement, Dr Catherine Free said: "Sadly we can confirm that a woman who was being cared for at George Eliot Hospital in Nuneaton, and had tested positive for Covid-19, has died.

• Town theatre and cinema close as two more die in hospital Hinckley Times, 18/03/2020, p.1, Nicholas Dawson Businesses in Hinckley face disruption over the coming days as the Government ramps up its response to the coronavirus outbreak. So far the Concordia Theatre and Cineworld have both closed their doors, as has the coffee bar at St Mary's Church in Hinckley. Hinckley's closest A&E hospital, the George Eliot, reported a second death over the weekend while the Leicester Royal Infirmary said a patient it was treating has also died.

• Cherished hospital tea bar to close over coronavirus fears for elderly volunteers

Coventry Telegraph (Web), 18/03/2020, Unattributed Valiant volunteers who man Nuneaton's cherished hospital tea bar are being told to stand down over coronavirus fears. The last cups of tea will be served at the main League of Friends cafe at the George Eliot Hospital this Friday (March 20).

NATIONAL MEDIA HEADLINES

• Fears of bed shortage in regional hospitals The Daily Telegraph, 19/03/2020, p.1, Bill Gardner; Paul Nuki NHS hospitals outside London are at greater risk than those in the capital of becoming overwhelmed, according to analysis. Rural areas will be hit hardest by a national shortfall of hospital beds as the outbreak sweeps across the country. The largest shortfall in hospital beds is in the Midlands, where 2,900 extra beds and ventilators will be needed during the epidemic's expected peak in the coming weeks.

• An NHS that is divided may be the biggest hurdle of all The Daily Telegraph, 19/03/2020, p.4, Paul Nuki

• School's out, exams axed, deaths soar ...and army in Daily Mail, 19/03/2020, p.1, Jason Groves, Daniel Martin; stephen Wright From Monday, only the children of designated 'key workers' will be offered schooling. A list will be published today and it is expected to include NHS ' staff, power station workers, train drivers and supermarket delivery drivers.

• Lockdown London? Daily Mail, 19/03/2020, p.6, Claire Ellicott, Jason Groves; Rebecca Camber

• WE WANT ANSWERS The Daily Mirror, 19/03/2020, p.4, Nicola Bartlett

• Chelsea owner to pay for NHS staff to use club hotel The Independent Daily Edition, 19/03/2020, p.61, Jack De Menezes Chelsea owner Roman Abramovich will pay for NHS staff to stay at the club's Millennium Hotel at Stamford Bridge for at least the next two months after personally taking the decision to help aid the fight against the coronavirus crisis. An idea first raised by Abramovich himself led to the club proposing an idea to the National Health Service to offer their staff free accommodation, which has been accepted.

• Chelsea open Stamford Bridge to NHS staff The Independent Daily Edition, 19/03/2020, p.58, Jack De Menezes

• Abramovich lets NHS staff stay in hotel for free i (The paper for today), 19/03/2020, p.50, Unattributed

• Abramovich puts NHS staff up in stadium hotel The Guardian, 19/03/2020, p.37, David Hytner

• Chelsea offers rooms in its hotel to NHS staff The Daily Telegraph, 19/03/2020, p.7, Unattributed

• Abramovich offers Chelsea hotel to NHS key workers The Daily Telegraph, 19/03/2020, p.11, Sam Wallace

• Life savers Daily Express, 19/03/2020, p.60, Darren Lewis

• FOOTBALL UNITED The Daily Mirror, 19/03/2020, p.60, Darren Lewis

• CARE B&B The Sun, 19/03/2020, p.60, Andrew Dillon

• Roman and Nev in NHS gesture Daily Star, 19/03/2020, p.46, Darren Lewis

• Free rooms at football hotels for NHS workers Metro, 19/03/2020, p.2, Unattributed

• Staff given wrong advice on self-isolation by NHS trusts The Independent Daily Edition, 19/03/2020, p.13, Shaun Lintern Doctors and nurses were advised they could work even if someone else in their home had symptoms of coronavirus - despite official guidance being that their household should self-isolate for 14 days if anyone shows signs of the symptoms. On Tuesday NHS England's chief nurse responded to questions on social media making clear the guidance applied to all staff. Later on Tuesday the hospitals issued new guidance in line with Public Health England's advice.

• We're close to test that reveals who's immune, says PM The Times, 19/03/2020, p.8, Chris Smyth; tom Whipple; Katie Gibbons Prime Minister Boris Johnson has announced that a "game-changing" coronavirus test that can identify people who have been infected and consequently now have immunity even if they showed no symptoms is close to being developed. Such an antibody test would enable frontline NHS staff to work safe in the knowledge that they could not be infected and allow people to return to normality even as the rest of the country remained in lockdown.

• Prime Minister says new antibody test that gives an all-clear could be a 'game changer' The Daily Telegraph, 19/03/2020, p.4, Hayley Dixon; Laura Donnelly

• NHS to test 25,000 a day for virus within four weeks The Independent Daily Edition, 19/03/2020, p.12, Shaun Lintern Up to 25,000 hospital patients a day will be tested for coronavirus under new government plans to ramp up testing for the disease. Ministers have announced the measures this afternoon as criticism grows over the UK's lack of capacity for testing suspected community cases, and with frontline NHS staff being forced to stop work and isolate for 14 days. Since the end of February Public Health England has been testing a sample of the general population as part of a surveillance programme to identify how the disease is circulating. Matt Hancock, the health secretary, said: "Public safety is my top priority, and radically ramping up testing for coronavirus is a key part of our plan to protect lives."

• Big jump in testing will target those at risk and health service workers i (The paper for today), 19/03/2020, p.4, Tom Bawden; Paul Gallagher

• NHS staff given priority as daily tests rise to 25,000 Financial Times, 19/03/2020, p.2, Camilla Hodgson

• Testing kits Frontline NHS staff miss out as clinics charge wealthy £295 The Guardian, 19/03/2020, p.4, Simon Murphy; Rupert Neate

• 25k virus checks a day... but NHS staff won't get one Daily Mail, 19/03/2020, p.12, Ben Spencer

• HOW SICK WE CAN'T TEST ONES WHO CAN SAVE US Daily Mail, 19/03/2020, p.13, Ian Birrell

• More protective equipment on its way, health bosses say The Independent Daily Edition, 19/03/2020, p.14, Shaun Lintern The head of NHS England has warned the country is going to need to increase the production of items like gowns and other vital equipment as the UK braces for months of heightened risk from the disease. NHS England's chief operating officer Amanda Pritchard, told MPs on Tuesday: "We have been assured there is sufficient supply available nationally However, we're aware that there have been some local distribution problems." Sir Simon Stevens, chief executive of NHS England, added: "A lot of the Chinese supply for some of the more basic items has been disrupted so we are going to need to ramp up production for gowns in particular, and some of the facemasks."

• Doctors raise concerns over lack of equipment i (The paper for today), 19/03/2020, p.4, Richard Vaughan

• We are cannon fodder The Daily Mirror, 19/03/2020, p.8, Martin Bagot

• Doctors tell patients to delay cancer treatment Daily Mail, 19/03/2020, p.9, Sophie Borland; Izzy Ferris Doctors have been told by NHS England to prepare for a 'disruption of services' in cancer units over the next few weeks due to staff sickness and shortages of drugs and equipment. They have been advised to group their patients into 'priority levels' according to how crucial or effective the treatment is likely to be.

• Police to start 'graduated withdrawal of service' The Independent Daily Edition, 19/03/2020, p.10, Lizzie Dearden Deputy Chief Constable Paul Netherton, the national lead for civil contingencies, has said that police will be forced to enact a "graduated withdrawal of service" from their normal duties if the coronavirus outbreak worsens. Mr Netherton said police expected the key challenge to be supporting the NHS, and that fears of disorder and looting had not yet been realised.

• Paracetamol the drug of choice, says NHS The Daily Telegraph, 19/03/2020, p.4, Unattributed It is noted that NHS guidelines say to "take paracetamol to treat the symptoms of coronavirus, unless your doctor has told you it's not suitable for you".

• 'Are the players being looked after? I would argue a lot more can be done' The Guardian, 19/03/2020, p.36, Ben Fisher An interview with Wycombe Wanderers footballer David Wheeler, in which he comments: "With the NHS, it [the impact of coronavirus] is going to expose the underfunding and understaffing when the going gets tough and, when things get really bad, that's going to be exposed. Cracks are going to be exposed and expand in this crisis, and you're going to see that in probably every industry but the NHS is

going to be the most stark because people's lives are at stake but I think you will see that in every industry where there is any vulnerability." • NHS is in no fit state for pandemic i (The paper for today), 19/03/2020, p.18, Unattributed A New York Times editorial claims that the coronavirus has left the NHS "creaking at the seams after years of underfunding".

• Pret and McDonald's give free hot drinks to NHS staff The Independent Daily Edition, 19/03/2020, p.57, Unattributed Several food chains are offering free drinks and discounts to NHS staff amid the Covid-19 pandemic. McDonald's has announced that all emergency services personnel and health and social workers in the UK would be able to collect free drinks at all restaurants while government guidance allows them to stay open.

• Free lunch for NHS staff The Daily Mirror, 19/03/2020, p.13, Unattributed Cafe owner Ben Hayes, of Thyme Out Food Co, in Manchester, donated 40 lunch orders to NHS staff and the elderly - despite losing cash to do so.

• SIGH OF RELIEF Vauxhall and Airbus set to refocus production on NHS ventilators City AM, 19/03/2020, p.3, Unattributed Vauxhall and Airbus will soon regear their UK production efforts towards 3Dprinting parts for ventilators to be used in the coronavirus treatment effort.

• The need to protect frontline healthcare staff The Times, 19/03/2020, p.28, Unattributed Letter: "The prime minister is lobbying industry to manufacture more ventilators to help to manage patients unwell with Covid-19. Although this is laudable, as frontline NHS professionals involved in the care of patients with coronavirus, we know that what is more urgently needed is an increase in the production and availability of the personal protective equipment (PPE), which is essential for us to look after these patients safely."

• Heroes are our heart and soul The Sun, 19/03/2020, p.8, Mike Ridley A selection of emails from Sun readers giving support and thanks to NHS staff who are working to battle the coronavirus outbreak.

• Testing to be stepped up to target 25,000 patients every day Evening Standard, 18/03/2020, p.1, Joe Murphy A -minute test to discover if people have had coronavirus and are immune to getting it again will be rolled out within days. Testing by the NHS and Public Health England was increased yesterday to 7,500 a day, up from 5,000 a week ago, and will be raised further to 10,000 next week. Within four weeks, some 25,000 tests a day will be carried out.

• HEART OF LONDON IS VIRUS HOTSPOT Evening Standard, 18/03/2020, p.1, Nicholas Cecil; Ross Lydall; Joe Murphy; Sophia Sl Professor Neil Ferguson, one of the scientists spearheading Britain's battle against coronavirus, has gone down with the symptoms and today warned there are almost certainly thousands of cases already in the heart of London. As the number of cases rises in the capital, the London Ambulance Service appealed to most people to use

NHS 111 online so elderly people, often less able to use the internet and most at risk, can get through on emergency phone lines. • Drug 'buying time' for patients' lungs to be trialled in NHS Evening Standard, 18/03/2020, p.3, Ross Lydall A drug that may be able to reduce the impact of coronavirus in hospitalised patients is to be trialled in the NHS. The UK firm behind the once-a-day inhaled medication hopes it could prevent Covid-19 patients deteriorating to the extent they need a ventilator.

• Abramovich provides free beds for NHS staff Evening Standard, 18/03/2020, p.39, James Olley Chelsea owner Roman Abramovich has offered free accommodation at the Millennium Hotel next to Stamford Bridge to NHS staff tackling the coronavirus crisis.

• NHS staff allowed to stay for free at Chelsea FC's Millennium Hotel ITV.com (Web), 18/03/2020, Unattributed

• SPIRE IS READY TO MAKE [...] Evening Standard, 18/03/2020, p.34, Unattributed Private hospitals group Spire today said it was ready to switch its operations to battle coronavirus when the NHS is hit by the peak of the epidemic.

• FREE PHONE ACCESS TO NHS WEBSITES TO FOIL FAKE ADVICE Evening Standard, 18/03/2020, p.7, Unattributed Mobile phone companies today announced free access to NHS and the 111 websites, to combat "fake news" on coronavirus.

• The great unravelling: coronavirus - a very British cull Morning Star, 18/03/2020, p.8, Alan Simpson Comment: "At the moment, Britain has a lower death rate from the virus than Italy (1.4 per cent against 6.7 per cent). The logic behind the government strategy is that the more dispersed the detected cases, the more manageable they are for the NHS. Without testing and tracing it will not last."

• Coronavirus: Boris Johnson faces calls to do more to help renters and self-employed ITV.com (Web), 18/03/2020, Unattributed Boris Johnson is facing calls to do more to help renters after announcing his £350bn package to support businesses through coronavirus. The prime minister warned that Covid-19 is so "dangerous" that without drastic action it would "overwhelm the NHS" and that more "extreme measures" may be needed to protect lives in the future.

• The good deeds making life coping with coronavirus pandemic a little easier ITV.com (Web), 18/03/2020, Unattributed While many are being asked to stay home to minimise pressure on the NHS, health workers are still heading out. At an extremely busy time for the NHS, help is needed in any way it can be given. Pret A Manger is therefore offering free hot drinks to all NHS workers and 50% off everything else.

• Coronavirus: NHS worker tells ITV News of lack of equipment and urgent need for tests ITV.com (Web), 18/03/2020, Unattributed A paramedic working for NHS Scotland during the coronavirus outbreak has told ITV

News they are being "put in danger" because of an "absolute shortage of essential equipment". • Coroanvirus: NHS doctor asks ''why gamble with our lives?'' as calls for tests grow ITV.com (Web), 18/03/2020, Unattributed A blog by an anonymous doctor working in an NHS University Hospital in England who has been forced to self-isolate due to the coronavirus.

• Care for NHS workers in Milton Keynes ITV.com (Web), 18/03/2020, Unattributed The Chaplin at Milton Keynes Hospital has been raising funds for welfare boxes to give to NHS staff. The Reverend Sarah Crane is supporting hospital workers after seeing the toll dealing with the coronavirus outbreak is taking on them.

LOCAL BROADCAST COVERAGE

• Cannock Chase Hospital coverage BBC Radio WM, Sam and Daz at Breakfast, 18/03/2020, 08:14:03, 5:0 A hospital will temporarily close its minor injuries unit to free up staff to help seriously ill patients during the Covid-19 outbreak. The Cannock Chase Hospital has announced it will shut the unit at its site from tomorrow Wednesday, 18 March.

• Cannock Chase Hospital coverage BBC Radio WM, Sam and Daz at Breakfast, 18/03/2020, 07:13:09, 5:0 A hospital will temporarily close its minor injuries unit to free up staff to help seriously ill patients during the Covid-19 outbreak. The Cannock Chase Hospital has announced it will shut the unit at its site from tomorrow Wednesday, 18 March.

• Following the guidelines LBC 97.3, Nigel Farage, 18/03/2020, 18:20:42, 5:0 The presenter says he got a call from a worker in the West Midlands Ambulance Service. The worker said he was back from his annual leave, and he was not allowed to put on the full PPE as it took too much time. The Trust has issued detailed guidance to all operational staff about the appropriate level of PPE that should be worn by the crews. The workers are supposed to urgently seek clarification from the Operational Manager if any of the guidance is unclear.

• NHS featured BBC Radio5, 5 Live Drive, 18/03/2020, 16:34:45, 5:0 It is reported that West Midlands Police is co-chairing with a strategic group which is effectively involving the NHS and other organisations as well, which is responding to the pandemic in the West Midlands and Warwickshire.

• Bedford Hospital featured BBC 1 East, Look East; Weather, 18/03/2020, 13:37:45, 5:0 It is reported that the number of cases tested positive with COVID-19 in the region is rising. Hospital staff are being redeployed and retrained to help care for Coronavirus patients. The chief executive of Bedford Hospital says that if schools close early it would mean nearly 25pc fewer nurses.

• Bedford Hospital featured BBC 1 Cambridge, Look East; Weather, 18/03/2020, 13:37:30, 5:0 It is reported that the number of cases tested positive with COVID-19 in the region is rising. Hospital staff are being redeployed and retrained to help care for Coronavirus

patients. The chief executive of Bedford Hospital says that if schools close early it would mean nearly 25pc fewer nurses. 

• Bedford Hospital comments BBC Radio Three Counties, Andy Collins, 18/03/2020, 07:29:40, 5:0 All non-urgent procedures are being delayed as Bedford Hospital deals with the coronavirus outbreak. In a statement, the Bedford Hospital says the hospital is currently delaying all non-urgent procedures to help manage capacity, in line with national guidance from NHS England

MEDIA ENQUIRIES

• None

STATEMENTS ISSUED

• None

ACTIONS TAKEN

• Monitoring latest updates from Public Health England and GOV.UK

• Social media monitoring for local areas, local hospitals and retweeting PHE, NHS messages on Coronavirus advice

• Social media updated on CCG accounts with latest messages on prevention, stall well, mental health and wellbeing

Engagement, Communications and Marketing Team

NHS Arden and Greater East Midlands Commissioning Support Unit