Portsmouth hospital chief warns failure to stay at home will put ‘more patients at risk’

Dr John Knighton, who previously worked for more than 20 years as a critical care consultant at Queen Alexandra Hospital, is worried that people not sticking to government guidelines would result in ‘transmission of Covid-19 rising again’.

Dr Knighton confirmed that clinical teams across the trust are ‘already treating a significant number of patients with covid related illness’.

He added: ‘There is something that we need your help with and that is to follow government advice on social distancing. If you don’t – and I know the forecast for this bank holiday weekend is good – there is a real risk that transmission of Covid-19 through the community will rise again.’

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Government regulations currently state that aside from essential work, people should only leave their homes to purchase food, provide care for vulnerable relatives, medical needs or to take part in a form of exercise either alone or with members of the same household. People should remain at least two metres apart and should not arrange to meet friends or family members beyond their household.

Dr Knighton stressed that breaking these rules could put the ‘health of patients and staff at risk’.

He said: ‘Please follow the government advice. Stay at home and save lives.’

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