First person confirmed to have coronavirus in London checked into Lewisham Hospital A&E unannounced

The first person diagnosed with coronavirus in London went to Lewisham Hospital A&E on Sunday.

The test result was confirmed as positive on Wednesday and the patient was taken to St. Thomas’ Hospital on Westminster Bridge Road that evening.

In a statement the chief executive of Lewisham and Greenwich NHS Trust, Ben Travis, said: “There has been a confirmed case of coronavirus in a patient who self-presented at the Emergency Department of University Hospital Lewisham.

“The patient was given a mask and then escorted to be tested in the dedicated area we have assigned for coronavirus testing outside the A&E building – while awaiting the installation of a purpose-built “pod”. 

“The patient was then taken to a dedicated isolation room in the Emergency Department. The patient was escorted and did not come into contact with other patients. 

“The patient was later discharged and taken home by London Ambulance Service.

“All staff who had direct contact with the patient have been contacted, including two members of staff who are undergoing active surveillance at home for a 14 day period as a precautionary measure.”