Two patients at King’s College Hospital in Camberwell test positive for coronavirus – and nearby Lyndhurst Primary School closed until Monday as parent also has disease

Two patients have been isolated at a hospital after being diagnosed with coronavirus – and families of patients are being stopped from visiting them on some wards to stop the spread.

The pair being treated at King’s College Hospital (KCH) were among the latest infections in South London – the first walked into Lewisham Hospital on February 13 and Wimbledon College closed on Monday after a teacher tested positive following a trip to Italy.

One of the cases at King’s was a patient on the Health and Ageing Unit, which treats frail pensioners with fractures.

KCH staff are now restricted from entering the ward where the elderly patient was infected, and other people receiving treatment are now being tested.

Residents are being warned people are likely to die from the virus – especially elderly and vulnerable patients.

The son of a 75-year-old stroke sufferer said he received a call from the hospital yesterday alerting him to the outbreak with a warning not to visit his dad.

He told The Daily Telegraph newspaper: “Apparently, the positive patient was already being kept in a separate room inside the ward, so that might slow down the spread.

“But I’m certainly worried. Everyone on that ward is old and vulnerable, and we know coronavirus affects those over 70 worst. We’re already concerned about my dad’s illness.

“I haven’t been able to speak to him yet. To think he might now be at risk from coronavirus is the last thing we need.”

A statement from the hospital in Camberwell said: “The trust has had two recent patients who have tested positive for COVID-19 (coronavirus).

“We have strict protocols in place to manage the control of infection and to reduce the possibility of cross-infection, and this includes restricting access for staff and visitors to the ward.”

It added that Public Health England was carrying out contact tracing and will be in touch with anyone who may have been exposed to the virus.

Professor Chris Whitty, chief medical officer for England and Wales, said the UK has “mainly” moved into the second “delay” phase of its battle against the deadly virus.

This means it is inevitable the virus will spread across the country and efforts will be made to slow it down, rather than stop it.

Elsewhere Lyndhurst Primary School in Grove Lane, Camberwell, just a stone’s throw from the hospital, announced it will be closed until Monday for a deep clean after a parent tested positive for the virus

The school, pictured above, said the risk of transmission was “minimal” – the parent’s child is not showing any symptoms and there are no cases amongst pupils and staff.

A letter on the school’s website at lunchtime yesterday said: “After consultation with Public Health England, it has been agreed that the school should remain closed until Monday.

“This is to effect a thorough deep cleaning. It will also enable us to respond to the results of tests to the family of the pupil in question when they are received.”