Cromer and District HospitalPhoto by Mark Bullimore
A Norfolk hospital’s minor injuries unit is to close from Monday, so staff can be redeployed to Norfolk and Norwich University Hospital (NNUH) due to rising Covid-19 infections.
In a statement, NNUH’s NHS foundation trust said: From Monday, staff based at the MIU in Mill Road, Cromer, will be redeployed to support the minor injuries and Emergency Department at NNUH where our teams are seeing Covid-19 infections and admissions continue to rise.
“We know this will be disappointing to North Norfolk patients who value the MIU service at Cromer. However, the Cromer MIU space will be used to maintain a low Covid-19 risk treatment area for surgical appointments and procedures.
Three patients at the Queen Elizabeth Hospital in King s Lynn had tested positive, along with one at the Norfolk and Norwich University Hospital.
Two men, one in his 70s and one in his 60s, died at the Queen Elizabeth Hospital. Tragically, they would be followed by hundreds more.
The first fatalities of coronavirus patients in Norfolk happened at the Queen Elizabeth Hospital in King s Lynn.
- Credit: Sonya Duncan
By this point, people with continuous coughs and fevers were being told to self isolate, people aged 70 urged to stay at home and everyone advised against non essential travel .
People were being urged to wash their hands and the words social distancing had entered everyday language, although face masks were yet to become the common sight they are today.
David Thompson, who has been made an MBE.
- Credit: Submitted
A stalwart of the county which became his home 25 years ago has been recognised for his contribution in the Queen’s New Year’s Honours list.
The honours list was published on Wednesday night, and nationally included names such as actress Sheila Hancock and Formula One s Lewis Hamilton.
And Elizabeth Armstrong was given a British Empire Medal (BEM) for her services to archaeology and to the community in Norwich.
David Thompson, 68, of Costessey, Norwich, has been made an MBE for services to architecture and to the community in Norfolk.
The disease, which has symptoms ranging from fatigue and joint pain, to fever, weight loss and frequent infections, is treated with chemotherapy, as well as, in some cases, stem cell or bone marrow transplants.
“They took me into a room and I thought they were going to say he had Covid, not this,” Mr Clanford said.
Alfie, who is a pupil at Cromer Junior School, was rushed from Norwich to Addenbrooke s Hospital in Cambridge, which offers specialist care for children with cancer and blood disorders.
Alfie Gibson, 10, from Cromer, was diagnosed with an aggressive form of leukemia on Christmas Day.
Erika Denton, NNUH medical director, said: “We are extremely concerned by the rising Covid-19 infection rates and hospital admissions in the region and would urge everyone to redouble their efforts and follow the national guidance. It is more important than ever for people to socially distance from others, wear face masks when needed and maintain regular and thorough hand washing.
“We have plans to increase capacity to treat our sickest patients, which includes two designated surge wards and the third floor of the new ward block. The highly specialised negative pressure isolation unit (NPIU) is on standby to be used to treat vulnerable patients.”