More than 500 people have died with coronavirus at St George’s Hospital
By Sian Bayley, Local Democracy Reporter
St George’s Hospital in Tooting passed a grim milestone yesterday as it surpassed 500 coronavirus deaths.
A total of 507 patients have now died after testing positive for Covid-19 at St George’s since March 2020.
A spokesman said: “Our staff are continuing to do everything they can to support the relatives and loved ones affected at this incredibly difficult time.
“We also have a bereavement services team who are providing advice and support to families.”
The latest figures show there are 77 Covid-19 positive patients being cared for in intensive care, and 302 Covid-positive patients being cared for on the wards.
Masterchef judge Marcus Wareing this week posted a video on Twitter reminding his followers of the importance of following the rules, after having seen how hard staff were working at St George’s Hospital.
He had to take his daughter there on New Year’s Day for a non-Covid related emergency.
He said: “This message is to remind my followers that we’re still in lockdown and we have a duty to follow the rules. Thank you St George’s Hospital, thank you to the team and thank you NHS.”
"This message is to remind my followers that we're still in lockdown and we have a duty to follow the rules. Thank you St George's Hospital, thank you to the team and thank you NHS."@marcuswareing recorded this important message after a visit to St George's.#ThankYouNHS 🙏 pic.twitter.com/c2jXetv9K2
— St George's NHS FT (@StGeorgesTrust) January 13, 2021
Wandsworth resident Rachel Egan, 29, also recently posted her frustration on social media after seeing people hugging in a park not too far from St George’s Hospital.
She said: “This lockdown feels like a bit of half-assed attempt compared to March’s lockdown. My behaviour is largely the same as it was in March, I only go out for exercise and food shopping.
“But I have seen lots of people in pairs or small groups going out for a coffee, and hardly anybody is bothering to keep their distance on Tooting Common.
“My mother died in March and I have spent the past year grieving away from my family who live in Essex. I wasn’t able to go home for Christmas and we haven’t hugged in months. It really hurts to see people breaking the rules like this when my family is sacrificing so much in such difficult circumstances to keep others safe.”
Pictured top: A nurse cares for a patient at St George’s Hospital in Tooting (Picture: PA)
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