At least eight hospital foundations, some of which include several clinics, have already decided to take this step in view of the violent corona wave, as the BBC reported on Tuesday.
Hospitals declare a disaster when those responsible are of the opinion that they can no longer guarantee necessary treatments. According to the BBC, the head of the NHS Confederation, which brings together national health service organizations, Matthew Taylor wrote in a post that “we are currently in a state of crisis in many parts of the health system”. In some hospitals, employees are already being asked to give up days off so that operations can continue.
Support for the military and retirees
Prime Minister Boris Johnson admitted that the pressure on the health system is expected to continue for several weeks. So far, however, the British government has been resisting the introduction of stricter measures despite the record number of new infections. Health Minister Sajid Javid said military forces as well as volunteers and retired workers would support the strained health service.
On Monday, almost 160,000 new infections with the corona virus were reported in England and Scotland alone, but due to the holidays, the numbers are patchy and the number of unreported cases is likely to be high. The seven-day incidence was last at 1,526 (as of December 29).
At the start of school in England, school principals expect massive staff losses. The high number of infections is already leaving its mark in other areas: According to the Rail Delivery Group, one in ten train employees is currently on sick leave.
Source: Nachrichten
