The UK will reactivate COVID-19 emergency hospitals, closing London primary schools

LONDON (Reuters) – Britain rehabilitated emergency hospitals built at the start of the pandemic and closed primary schools in London on Friday to counter the rapid spread of a much more contagious variant of the coronavirus.

With more than 50,000 new daily cases of COVID-19 for the past four days, the health service said it was preparing for an expected run of patients and needed more beds.

The news comes just days after London Royal Infirmary told staff by email that it was now in “disaster treatment” and was unable to access high quality emergency care. to give.

With the capital one of the worst hit areas by the new variable, which is up to 70% more contagious, the government has also decided to close all London primary schools, setting aside to a decision made just two days ago.

“Children’s education and wellbeing remains a national priority,” said Education Secretary Gavin Williamson. “Moving more parts of London to remote education is a last resort and a temporary solution.”

Britain is battling a new wave of virus that has killed more than 74,000 people and crushed the economy. One of the worst countries in the world, it recorded 53,285 cases in the last 24 hours on Friday, and 613 new deaths.

Prime Minister Boris Johnson’s government has been criticized for its frequent setbacks during the pandemic, including delaying locking through the first wave in March and allowing provide a system for awarding school standards without examinations.

The temporary ‘Nightingale’ hospitals were in places like one-off conference centers, built by the military in a matter of days. They have hardly been used but have survived the moment

A report from Sky News said intensive care units of three London hospitals were full on New Year’s Eve, forcing patients to be transferred to other hospitals for emergency care.

“In anticipation of pressures arising from the spread of the new variable disease, the NHS Department of London was asked to ensure that the Nightingale was reactivated and ready to admit patients if required,” a spokeswoman said. for the National Health Service (NHS).

However, the Royal College of Nursing has warned that the country does not have enough nurses to staff the new sites, especially with many who are ill with the virus or are isolated.

With regard to school, the government said it would have to close all primary schools in the capital following a review of emission rates. On Wednesday, Williamson had postponed a plan to delay the reopening of high schools but open most primary schools, including much of the capital, by next time. weeks after the Christmas holidays.

Opposition Labor has said the last-minute reversal would upset parents.