Public Health England Records No New COVID-19 Cases in H&F
Daily total of those testing positive stays static for first time since March
The latest figures from Public Health England, published yesterday, Thursday 30 April, showed that for the first time since March 25, there were no new cases of people in Hammersmith & Fulham testing positive for Covid-19.
The daily dashboard records new lab-confirmed cases for each local authority, and by Wednesday, 29 April the number had reached 605 - a rise of just three over the previous total of 602 on Tuesday.
Tuesday's total was also a rise of just three from Monday, when the daily dashboard showed a total of 599 people in our borough testing positive.
However, on Thursday the daily total remained at 605 - which meant that there were no extra new cases in the previous day.
This seems to support claims that social distancing is beginning to work.
The number of new cases has also slowed in our neighbouring borough of Kensington and Chelsea, with no rise at all on Monday, followed by just ten cases over the next three days, rising to 459.
There is a similar optimistic picture in Westminster and Wandsworth, where daily rises are now in single figures.
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