Coronavirus: ‘Steady rate’ of patients being admitted to Royal Cornwall Hospital

A “steady rate” of patients with coronavirus are continuing to be admitted to the Royal Cornwall Hospital.

At a press briefing hosted by Cornwall Council earlier today (April 23), Royal Cornwall Hospital Trust (RCHT) Chief Executive Kate Shields said there were currently four patients with Covid-19 in intensive care and a further 20 inpatients on other wards at Treliske.

A further 50 patients who have tested positive for Covid-19 are currently being treated in community hospitals across the county, while 500 members of staff at the RCHT have now been trained to use ventilators.

The Trust also said it is in talks to bring back some key services which have been closed or delayed during the pandemic, including some services for cancer and cardiac patients.

At the briefing, Cornwall’s Public Health lead Rachel Wigglesworth confirmed that there are now Covid-19 testing sites at Liskeard and Truro, as well as a facility in Plymouth.

She said 300 key workers from Cornwall have been tested for Covid-19 so far this month.

Residents across Devon and Cornwall were also encouraged to download the free Covid Symptom Tracker app, which helps identify possible coronavirus infections.

More than 10,000 people have so far downloaded the app and contributed to its findings, with less than one per cent having coronavirus symptoms.

Temporary mortuary planned for Cornwall

Also at today’s briefing, Cornwall Council confirmed it will create a temporary mortuary at Cornwall Airport Newquay.

A temporary mortuary will be built at Cornwall Airport Newquay.

It said the mortuary will be in the grounds of the airport, away from any housing.

The council’s Chief Executive Kate Kennally confirmed that no post-mortems would take place at the site, which is to help the Duchy cope should the number of coronavirus-related deaths increase beyond current capacity.

The facility is not currently in use and the council says it hopes it will not be needed.

Covid-19 infection rates in Cornwall remain comparatively low, with 427 confirmed cases to date.

For the latest updates on coronavirus in the West Country, including case numbers, event cancellations and venue closures, click here.

Coronavirus: Everything you need to know