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A London hospital has closed its doors to emergency admissions following an outbreak of Covid-19.
Around 70 staff at Hillingdon Hospital are isolating after an outbreak of the virus.
The hospital serves Boris Johnson’s Uxbridge and South Ruislip constituency.
A spokesperson for Hillingdon Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust said an outbreak of coronavirus was declared on Friday, July 3.
“As of Tuesday, July 7, 70 members of staff are now isolating, a number of whom have tested positive for Covid-19,” they said.
“As a result, the trust has taken the precautionary decision to close Hillingdon Hospital to emergency ambulances and emergency admissions.
“The trust is managing the outbreak in line with Public Health England (PHE) guidance.”
In a further statement, a spokesperson for the hospital said the closure would not cause any disruption to current patients.
They said: “A number of our staff have either tested positive for Covid-19 or are self-isolating and as a precaution, in line with arrangements we have in place to maintain safe and high quality care, the London Ambulance Service has been asked to take new patients to neighbouring hospitals to get the treatment they need.
“Any impact on patient care has been kept to an absolute minimum and there is no disruption to the care of our current patients.”
PHE said the situation at Hillingdon Hospital was an isolated incident.
Professor Kevin Fenton, PHE’s London regional director, said: “We are supporting Hillingdon Hospital after a number of staff who are now self-isolating tested positive for COVID-19.”
He added: “Overall, levels of coronavirus across London boroughs, including Hillingdon, remain low and steady. This incident is currently isolated to the hospital with no indication of wider community transmission, however we remain vigilant and are carefully monitoring the situation.”