Yahoo News Coronavirus: Birmingham Airport to become mortuary for 1,500 victims of COVID-19
Work has begun on turning Birmingham Airport into a temporary mortuary to cope with the dead during the COVID-19 outbreak.
The airport site, based in Sollihul, confirmed on Friday afternoon that Hangar 2 would be used to hold 1,500 bodies, according to a BBC report.
West Midlands Police said the measure comes after the region reported a rising number of coronavirus cases - which the force predicts will lead to a higher number of deaths in the coming weeks.
It comes after the Department for Health announced a rise of 181 fatalities in 24 hours on Friday - bringing the UK death toll to 759.
The figure, up from Thursday’s total of 578, showed the biggest daily jump in the UK since the outbreak began.
Staff from existing facilities will be transferred to the airport mortuary in an effort to “best serve our people”.
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Assistant chief constable Vanessa Jardine said: “This is a major incident but by bringing all public sector agencies and partners together we are able to better deal with this challenge together and work jointly at a critical time of need.
Senior coroner for Birmingham, Louise Hunt, said: "We understand that it is a very difficult time for everyone and we will do all that we can to make sure bereaved families understand what is happening to their loved ones and to release them for funeral as soon as we can."
A spokesperson for the airport said: "Birmingham Airport can confirm that it is working with the authorities to provide land and a hangar for a temporary mortuary site at the Elmdon side of Birmingham Airport, to support with the Covid-19 pandemic.
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“This mortuary is anticipated to accommodate the deceased from across the region, including those not related to coronavirus. Birmingham Airport will do its utmost to support this multi-agency response during these difficult times.”
The nearby National Exhibition Centre (NEC) is also on standby amid expectations more temporary field hospitals could be set-up during the COVID-19 outbreak.
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The site has 18 exhibition halls and plays host to dozens of high-profile conferences and shows each year.
Bosses at the venue have said they “stand ready” to help the NHS “with immediate effect” if the call comes from the government.
In London, the Excel exhibition centre in east London has bee turned into a temporary hospital to cope with rising numbers of COVID-19 cases in the capital.
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The NHS Nightingale Hospital, spanning 1km in size, will have space for 4,000 beds and holds two morgues.
Meanwhile, Boris Johnson confirmed on Friday that he had tested positive for coronavirus.
Johnson posted a video to Twitter saying he was displaying “mild symptoms” and was “working from home”.
He said: “I have developed mild symptoms of the coronavirus, that's to say a temperature and persistent cough. On the advice of the chief medical officer I have taken a test that has come out positive.
“But be in no doubt that I can continue, thanks to the wizardry of modern technology, to communicate with all my top team to lead the national fightback against coronavirus.”
