Coronavirus: Temporary mortuary being built at Birmingham Airport
Written by News on 27/03/2020
A temporary mortuary site is being built at Birmingham Airport in preparation for an expected rise in coronavirus deaths, West Midlands Police have said.
It comes as Birmingham’s NEC and Manchester Central exhibition centres are set to be converted into temporary hospitals by mid-April if required, Sky News understands.
Work has begun on the mortuary site which will initially be able to accommodate 1,500 deaths before expanding to hold more.
It is expected the temporary site could ultimately accommodate all deaths across the West Midlands, including those not related to the coronavirus, as regional mortuaries may close due to staffing the new facility.
West Midlands Police has said it is “vital that the right facilities are in place to ensure we give the utmost dignity and respect at all times to those who die as a result of this illness”.
The force added it will do everything it can to accommodate religious requirements.
Senior Birmingham Coroner 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 Birmingham Airport spokesperson 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.
“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.”
Birmingham’s NEC could hold as many as 5,000 beds for patients if it is turned into a temporary hospital, while the facility in Manchester could hold 1,000.
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The armed forces are helping the department of health and social care in planning to expand hospital bed capacity across the country in anticipation of a spike in coronavirus patients.
Health Secretary Matt Hancock, who is himself self-isolating after contracting the coronavirus, announced earlier this week that a temporary hospital will open at London’s ExCel Centre.
The Nightingale Hospital has been set up with the help of the military.
Prime Minister Boris Johnson announced on Friday he will be self-isolating after testing positive for the coronavirus.
Just hours later the prime minister’s chief medical officer Chris Witty confirmed he is also self-isolating after experiencing coronavirus symptoms.
Downing Street confirmed on Friday that 702,000 volunteers have signed up to deliver food and medicines, and perform other supportive tasks, for the 1.4million vulnerable people isolated at home.
(c) Sky News 2020: Coronavirus: Temporary mortuary being built at Birmingham Airport
