The number of confirmed coronavirus cases in the UK has risen to 373, with a sixth patient dying after testing positive, as we went to press. The man, who was in his early eighties, was being cared for at Watford General Hospital. The latest figures included 324 cases in England, 27 in Scotland, 16 in Northern Ireland and 6 in Wales, as we went to press. All major operators have cancelled their flights in and out of Italy till beginning of April.
On Sunday a 60 year old Bangladeshi man died, becoming the first from the Asian community to die of this virus in the UK. He is believed to have contacted coronavirus in Italy, where he went on a holiday for two weeks like every year. He lived in Italy for a long time, making it one of his favourite cities. 5 years ago he moved to Britain permanently with family.
The man's son told BBC Bengali service, that his father returned to Manchester on 29 February, when the virus started spreading widely in Italy. On 3 March his father went to the local health centre for his routine check up due to his pre-existing health issues such as heart problems, high cholesterol, arthritis and asthma. His son had bought him a mask to wear on UK streets. When the doctors asked him why he was wearing a mask, he said he had just returned from Italy, the BBC reported. That alerted the doctors and he was immediately isolated. Emergency service arrived from North Manchester General Hospital and he was then transported to the hospital. He was alright for a bit, but oxygen saturation in his blood started decreasing with irregular heartbeats. He passed away on Sunday, after 5 days of being in the hospital.
The family is currently in isolation, and Public Health England is reportedly checking on them regularly. So far the family has shown no symptoms. The dead body of their father will be kept in the morgue till the family is out of quarantine in another week's time.
Temple shuts after positive coronavirus test result
The Hare Krishna temple in Watford closed following the news of a member of the congregation tested positive for coronavirus, a Hertfordshire newspaper reported. The same man in his 80s who was being treated at Watford General Hospital has become the sixth person to die from coronavirus.
Bhaktivedanta Manor, on Hilfield Lane, announced on their Facebook page that all planned events from March 6 until Tuesday 10 were cancelled.
Managing director Gauri das said, "Sadly a member of the congregation tested positive for COVID-19. The person has not been to the temple but others have been in contact with them.
"The temple will be deep cleaned after which it will again be open. The cleaning may take anything between 24 to 48 hours.”
It is thought the start of the UK peak of the coronavirus will begin within the next fortnight. While Barking and Dagenham and Waltham Forest have seen their first case of coronavirus, the biggest number has been so far in Kensington and Chelsea area- with 8 affected. Ealing has 5 cases, Hounslow 3, Harrow and Redbridge have so far reported one case with none in Brent, Tower Hamlets and Newham, as we went to press on Tuesday.
Community comes forward to help
Many restaurants are taking extra care and offering hand sanitisers to customers as well as offering printed paper menus, so that people do not transmit germs from touching the menus.
In the meantime the community has come forward to help other people who have had to self-isolate. In fact Dave Jones, a butcher in Dewsbury tweeted saying, “If anyone near our shop has to isolate over the coronavirus and are on benefits, I will put together food parcels that will be delivered to your door.”
Taxi drivers live in fear
Drivers at Redwoods of Heathrow are spraying all parts of their vehicles which passengers touch with anti-bacterial spray after every journey, a news report said.
Mohammed, who drives taxi at a private London company, told us, “I am self-employed. The very thought that London city coming to a standstill is going to be a big blow on us. I can’t stop driving- as my family depends on the money that I earn.”
Mir, also a taxi driver said, “What is the UK doing to prevent people coming from anywhere with coronavirus? I am a taxi driver, I pick up people from airports. What’s the guarantee they don’t have germs? Our company has said we can wear masks when we drive with passengers, but you can’t sit with a mask for the whole day! It’s uncomfortable!"
It is rumoured that a taxi driver in Southall has been affected by coronavirus, due to his recent travel to Italy. All his passengers so far have been contacted, asked to self-isolate and report any symptoms of the virus immediately.
Travel to India
India has already brought in travel guidance for passengers coming from abroad. All visas granted to passengers from Italy, Iran, China, South Korea, Japan, France, Germany and Spain via any route, who have not entered India yet are suspended. Those requiring to travel to India due to compelling reasons, and who were granted visas after 5 March 2020, need to carry 'Tested Negative for Covid19' medical certificate. Visas of all foreigners in India remain valid. Holders of diplomatic passports, official passports, UN officials, OCI card holders and air-crew from the above 8 countries are exempted from such restrictions. However medical screening is compulsory. All have to furnish a pair of fully filled self-declaration forms including address and phone number in India and travel history that need to be submitted to health and immigration officials at all arrival ports in India.
Victims of fraud
On the other hand Action Fraud has notified that the National Fraud Intelligence Bureau has identified 21 reports of fraud where coronavirus has been mentioned with victims losses totalling over £800k. 10 of these reports were made by victims who attempted to purchase face masks from fraudulent sellers. Reported numbers are expected to rise. They are asking people not to click on any links, attachments or purchase from companies you can't trust. The cost of hand sanitiser and liquid soap have skyrocketed. It is believed a shop in London even hiked the price of a small hand sanitiser bottle to £9.
