The fifth person in Britain to succumb to the effects of coronavirus died yesterday at St Helier Hospital.
“We can confirm that sadly, a patient in their 70s who was very unwell with a number of significant and long-term health conditions has passed away at St Helier Hospital. They had tested positive for Covid-19,” said a statement issued on behalf of Daniel Elkeles, the chief executive for Epsom and St Helier University Hospitals NHS Trust.
“Our thoughts and condolences remain with the patient’s family and loved ones at this difficult time.”
A message on the Trust’s website read: “We are receiving lots of enquiries about appointments at our hospitals and in the community. Our services are unaffected and running as normal.
“All scheduled appointments will continue as normal, unless patients have been individually contacted and told otherwise.
“Please be advised, if you are experiencing symptoms that are similar to those of the coronavirus you should not attend our hospitals or have a home visit from our community services.”
And the leader of Sutton Council, Ruth Dombey, issued this statement: “Today my thoughts and prayers and those of the whole council go out to the family and friends of the person who died today.
Ruth Dombey: reassure the community
“I want to reassure the community here in Sutton that the NHS and the council are working together in support of Public Health England to support the national effort to combat and contain this virus.
“It is really important that everyone takes notice of and shares the public health messages in order to keep themselves, their families and our community safe.
“Residents with any concerns about their own health should visit the NHS 111 website or call NHS 111 for the latest health guidance.
“In the meantime, services continue to run in Sutton as normal and I pay tribute to those working in health and other front-line services for the remarkable job that they are doing.”
In Croydon, today’s Town Hall scrutiny meeting of the health and social care sub-committee will be focusing on the borough’s and NHS’s preparations and contingencies for dealing with the on-going health emergency.
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