Coronavirus: North Manchester General Hospital reports deaths of two patients with COVID-19 at Infectious Diseases Unit

Two people with coronavirus have died at North Manchester General Hospital, as another case of the virus has been confirmed in the Rochdale borough.

This comes as the total number of cases in the UK has reached 1,391 with 35 deaths.

Dr Chris Brookes, Chief Medical Officer for North Manchester General Hospital, said: “Sadly, we can confirm that two patients being treated for COVID-19 have died in our specialist regional Infectious Diseases unit at North Manchester General Hospital.

“The two patients were elderly, and both had underlying health problems. One of the patients was a man in his eighties and the other patient was a woman in her seventies.

“Their families have been informed and our thoughts and condolences are with them at this difficult and distressing time. They are being supported by our bereavement team.

“Our Infectious Diseases Unit is an isolated area separate to the rest of the hospital. We have robust measures in place to protect the safety of all of our staff, patients and visitors.”  

The COVID-19 strain of coronavirus was declared a pandemic – when a new disease for which people do not have immunity spreads around the world beyond expectations – by the World Health Organization on 11 March. It originated in Wuhan in China in December 2019, believed to have been transmitted to humans from animals.

Research published in the Lancet medical journal suggests a probability that 10+ cases will result in a large outbreak, “assuming SARS-like [Severe acute respiratory syndrome] superspreading events can occur.” Superspreading is the amplified transmission of a virus by individuals in a population.

Over 160,000 people worldwide (at the time of publication) have been infected with the illness, whilst over 6,000 people have died.

The World Health Organization (WHO) says that that illness caused by COVID-19 is generally mild, especially for children and young adults. It says that about one in every five people who catch the illness will require hospital care. Most of those who have developed serious illness have had pre-existing medical conditions, or have been older.

According to further research published on PubMed, the mortality rates for COVID-19 cases globally is between 1% to 2%.

For comparison, the WHO says that annual worldwide epidemics of seasonal influenza are 'estimated to result in about 3 to 5 million cases of severe illness, and about 290,000 to 650,000 respiratory deaths'.

COVID-19 is mainly spread through droplets produced when an infected person coughs, sneezes, or speaks. To protect yourself, clean your hands frequently and thoroughly.

Please help by following Public Health England advice:

• Wash your hands often with soap and water, especially after using public transport. Use a sanitiser gel if soap and water are not available.
• Always carry tissues with you and use them to catch your cough or sneeze. Then bin the tissue, and wash your hands, or use a sanitiser gel.
• Avoid touching your eyes, nose and mouth with unwashed hands.
• Avoid close contact with people who are unwell.

If you feel unwell with flu-like symptoms, including a cough, a high temperature and shortness of breath, use the NHS 111 online coronavirus service at nhs.uk to find out what to do.

If you think you may have coronavirus please DO NOT go to a GP surgery, pharmacy or hospital.

For more information, visit: 

• www.gov.uk/coronavirus
• www.nhs.uk/conditions/coronavirus-covid-19/