Coronavirus: St Wilfrid’s Hospice closes public spaces

The cafe, hopsice shop, salon, and public spaces will be closed from 5pm today (March 13) until further notice, to reduce the risk to its patients.

Family members who wish to visit are not being restricted to the hospice’s inpatient unit – thought anyone with a new continuous cough or high temperature is asked not to visit.

The Hospice’s chief executive David Scott-Ralphs said in a statement, “Now that the Covid-19 (Coronavirus) outbreak has moved into the ‘delay’ stage, we have decided to close our café, hospice shop, salon and public spaces to the general public with effect from 5pm until further notice.

“We are taking these measures to reduce the risk to our patients and to our staff and volunteers who are supporting them and their families.”

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A limited catering service will still be provided for visitors, the hospice says, and it will be continuing with the majority of Wellbeing groups at the present time.

Anyone visiting the hospice for a Wellbeing group, for individual support, or to see someone in the inpatient unit, will be given a leaflet with the latest information about Coronavirus and precautions people should all be taking.

The statement continued, “While visitors to patients are welcome, we request that people who have a new continuous cough or high temperature do not visit.

“We are sorry to have to take this decision but hope you will understand that it is being done in the best interests of our patients and those working to support them.”

This comes after it was announced today the first patient in East Sussex has tested positive with coronavirus.

The advice from the NHS is to regularly wash your hands, cover your mouth and nose when you cough or sneeze, and try to avoid close contact with people who are unwell.

People are told to stay at home for seven days if they have either a high temperature or a new, continuous cough.

Do not go to a GP surgery, pharmacy or hospital. You do not need to contact 111 to tell them you’re staying at home.