Health

One THIRD of NHS workers tested for coronavirus are positive


One in three NHS and critical key workers have tested positive for the coronavirus, official figures show. 

Out of almost 17,000 swabs carried out on key workers to date, 5,733 people have been infected – a rate of 33 per cent.

In comparison, 23 per cent of those in the general population, NHS hospital patients, have tested positive for the killer virus. 

Frontline NHS workers have been able to get tested since March 25 in Number 10‘s bid to reduce the numbers off work in self isolation. Around 2,500 tests are being conducted daily on medics and their family members. 

Yesterday a record 800 of those came back as positive – the figure has doubled in a matter of days because more people are being tested. 

The shocking data comes amid fears a lack of personal protective equipment (PPE) is fuelling the spread of the killer virus among NHS staff.

The availability of PPE has been a major issue during the coronavirus outbreak, with stocks currently running ‘critically low’ at some trusts. 

Yesterday a record 800 of those came back as positive - the figure has doubled in a matter of days because more people are being tested (pictured)

Yesterday a record 800 of those came back as positive – the figure has doubled in a matter of days because more people are being tested (pictured)

Out of 16,888 tests carried out on key workers and relevant household members to date, 5,733 people have been infected, a rate of 33 per cent

Out of 16,888 tests carried out on key workers and relevant household members to date, 5,733 people have been infected, a rate of 33 per cent

The slide shows how many of the new COVID-19 cases are among NHS and critical key workers in orange. Tests have been given to 'pillar 2' since March 25

The slide shows how many of the new COVID-19 cases are among NHS and critical key workers in orange. Tests have been given to ‘pillar 2’ since March 25

Daily figures for coronavirus cases among NHS and key workers has gradually been increasing since testing was first offered to them.  

Of the 88,621 tests that have come back positive in England, Wales and Scotland, 5,733 have been among key workers and their loved ones. 

Testing of NHS staff began on March 25 – two months after Public Health England began swabbing people after travelling from high risk countries.

Health chiefs decided to restrict tests to just patients in hospital before promising to swab NHS workers and their family. 

On March 25 there were already 10,000 cases of coronavirus among the general population.

There were also concerns about the number of NHS staff off work self-isolating over fears that they, or household members, could have the virus. 

NHS WORKERS TOLD TO STOP CARING FOR PATIENTS WITHOUT PROPER PPE

Six in ten doctors in a survey conducted by the Royal College of Surgeons said their trusts have experienced PPE shortages within the past 30 days.

The survey of 1,978 members found a third do not believe they have an adequate supply of personal protective equipment.

One described the lack of masks as ‘scandalous’ and said he had caught the disease from a patient who had gone on to infect six other members of staff.

Sue Hill, vice president of the Royal College of Surgeons, said: ‘We have been working with Government to ensure surgeons and their teams have the right advice about what level of PPE they need for different surgical procedures, but the overall picture from our survey is that there is still a lot more work to do to get adequate equipment to the front line. 

‘In the meantime we have urged our members not to risk their health, and that of their patients carrying out risky procedures.’ 

Meanwhile, the Royal College of Nursing has issued guidelines to its members saying that if they haven’t been given adequate PPE they can refuse to treat patients. 

The recommendations state: ‘Ultimately, if you have exhausted all other measures to reduce your risk and you have not been given appropriate PPE … you are entitled to refuse to work.’ 

The RCN said it would provide legal assistance to those making what it acknowledged was an ‘enormously difficult decision’ and warned them that they could face criminal prosecution for corporate manslaughter in ‘very rare’ cases for walking away. 

As part of a five pillar testing strategy, workers in the NHS, social care and their families who are in self isolation are able to get a test if they have symptoms.

If the test produces a negative result, it means they can return to work during a time the NHS is under immense pressure. 

The official figures come as NHS staff continue to report shortages of PPE, which is vital for limiting the spread of the killer infection.

At least 35 NHS staff have died during the outbreak after testing positive for COVID-19. It is not known how many contracted the virus due to inadequate supplies of PPE, however some of the victims complained of a lack of PPE before their death.

Abdul Mabud Chowdhury, 53, who died at Queen’s Hospital in Romford, east London, on April 8, had urged for ‘appropriate PPE’.

The consultant urologist’s plea ‘to protect ourselves and our families’ came just five days before he was admitted to hospital with the killer infection. 

Dr Chaand Nagpaul, chairman of the British Medical Association (BMA), said it was ‘so tragic’ that medic had concerns over PPE.  

And the Royal College of Nursing told its members to refuse to treat people if they do not have adequate PPE. 

There are currently specific concerns about full-sleeve gown stocks running low. The gowns resist droplets from coughing and sneezing, therefore reduce spread of the virus around the hospital. 

Chris Hopson, chief executive of NHS Providers in England which represents hospital trusts, told BBC Breakfast yesterday the stocks of gowns were ‘very, very low’. 

Mr Hopson said the supply of gowns – imported from China – was ‘hand-to-mouth’, and voiced concerns that equipment could run out completely if sustainable supply chains are not put in place.

He said the NHS ordered ‘a whole load of stock’ weeks ago, but delays have been caused by the product sometimes failing safety tests, while other batches have been mislabelled – meaning the NHS has ended up with additional masks. 

The official figures come as NHS staff continue to report shortages of PPE, which is vital for limiting the spread of the killer infection. Pictured: Testing being carried out at Leeds Temple Green Park and Ride, part of the drive to increase testing for thousands more NHS workers

The official figures come as NHS staff continue to report shortages of PPE, which is vital for limiting the spread of the killer infection. Pictured: Testing being carried out at Leeds Temple Green Park and Ride, part of the drive to increase testing for thousands more NHS workers

UK MISSED THREE CHANCES TO GET PPE FROM EU SCHEME

The UK has missed three chances to participate in an EU scheme to buy huge quantities of personal protective equipment (PPE).

The EU has ordered €1.5billion (£1.3billion) worth of protective masks, gowns and gloves for doctors and nurses – but Britain did not take part in talks about the purchases.

Some 25 European countries and eight companies are involved in the joint PPE procurement scheme and the first deliveries could be received within days, The Guardian reported.

A spokesman for the commission said the joint scheme has led to offers of protective gear in excess of the amount requested.

However, the UK will miss out on the PPE because it did not take part in any of the three rounds of bulk-buying which were first launched by the EU in February.

The Government has previously said it was unable to join the EU’s procurement schemes as it had not received an email of invitation.

But Whitehall officials reportedly only realised after all three rounds had been put out to tender that they had not received invitations to join the Joint Procurement Agreement steering committee where the orders are organised.

After telling the EU commission that the invitation emails were being sent to an outdated address the UK finally participated in its first meeting on joint PPE procurement on March 19.

However, British officials did not follow up that meeting and did not attend on March 25 when participating countries were invited to outline their requirements for future purchases by the next day.

At the daily Downing Street briefing on the coronavirus emergency yesterday, Foreign Secretary Dominic Raab said the Government was trying to give frontline staff reassurance over PPE as NHS deaths from COVID-19 grow. 

Mr Raab said: ‘We understand the importance of getting PPE to the frontline whether it’s in care homes or the NHS. 

‘I think the strongest practical reassurance they will want and that we can give them is that over the Bank Holiday weekend over 16million items were delivered and we are straining every sinew to roll them out even further and even faster.’ 

It has emerged that the UK missed three chances to be part of an EU scheme to bulk buy PPE.

Britain failed to utilise opportunities to get items such as masks, gowns and gloves under an EU initiative, the Guardian stated.  

It means the UK won’t benefit from the first of GBP1.3 billion-worth of PPE being delivered to another 25 countries within the next few days.

A Department of Health and Social Care spokesman said: ‘We are working round the clock with industry, the NHS, social care providers and the army to ensure the supply of PPE over the coming weeks and months and will give our NHS and the social care sector everything they need to tackle this pandemic – including working with countries around the globe. 

‘We are also working with a number of firms to scale up production of existing UK ventilator manufacturers, as well as designing and manufacturing new products from scratch, and procuring thousands more machines from overseas. 

‘We will continue to work with European countries and others in order to make sure that we can increase the capacity within the NHS, and we will consider participating in future EU joint procurement schemes on the basis of public health requirements at the time.’    



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