Coronavirus: Love Island’s Dr Alex George says his ‘spirits are high’ on NHS frontline

Dr Alex George has issued a positive message about beating coronavirus, saying morale on the frontline at his hospital is good as they continue to fight the disease.

The accident and emergency doctor, who rose to fame after taking part in reality TV show Love Island in 2018, is keeping his followers updated on what life is like working for the NHS with regular videos and posts on social media.

In his latest YouTube video, the 29-year-old spoke candidly about the fact that the number of cases in the UK will continue to increase, but also focused on patients who have recovered from COVID-19, the disease caused by coronavirus.

He also reassured people about testing, saying it is coming and a lot of work is being done, but “does take time”.

All in all, Dr George says his “spirits are high”.

“We’re seeing departments up and down the country getting busier and busier as the pressure from coronavirus builds up,” he says. “We’re seeing more patients requiring ventilators, requiring specialist input and support from us in the A&E department.

“We’re very grateful to those who are maintaining social distancing, who are staying at home, because at the end of the day that is what’s going to take pressure of us on the frontline and allow us to keep as many people safe and the death rate as low as possible.

“We’re working very hard, the morale on the frontline is still good. We want to make sure we look after our patients as best as we possibly can. We’ve split the department into sections, almost in a military style, so we’ve got patients who are not infected with coronavirus in certain parts of the department separated away from those who may be infected.

“It’s so important that everyone is staying at home, washing their hands and those that are in vulnerable categories are doing their very best to be isolating, reducing social contacts as much as possible.”

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Despite reports about some hospitals feeling they do not have enough or sufficient protective equipment to help treat patients safely, Dr George does not feel this is the case at his hospital.

“My spirits are high. I feel like we’ve got enough protective equipment on the frontline to do what we need do and to be able to perform our job as safely as possible,” he said.

“Of course, none of us want to catch the coronavirus, all of us want to remain safe and that is absolutely paramount.”

Speaking about the increasing number of COVID-19 patients, Dr George says many are doing well.

“Some of them are doing very well with a little bit of help and we’re sending home,” he says. “It’s worth saying that – we’re sending a lot of patients home, actually.

“Thankfully most people are self-isolating and following our advice with regards to having minor symptoms and some people come here – a little bit of testing and reassurance and then they go home. Of course, some of those who are unwell require our help.”

Although there have been UK cases of younger people and those with no underlying health conditions falling seriously ill, Dr George says it is mainly those who are classed as vulnerable who are most at risk – highlighting again the need for self-isolation for those groups.

According to guidance, people classed as extremely vulnerable include solid organ transplant recipients; people with cancer who are undergoing active chemotherapy or radical radiotherapy for lung cancer, and people with cancers of the blood or bone marrow who are at any stage of treatment; people with severe respiratory conditions including all cystic fibrosis, severe asthma and severe COPD; and women who are pregnant with significant heart disease.

(c) Sky News 2020: Coronavirus: Love Island’s Dr Alex George says his ‘spirits are high’ on NHS frontline