Security to be stepped up as visitors banned from hospitals in Hull and East Yorkshire

Hull University Teaching Hospitals NHS Trust said they had to take the step to protect staff and patients at Hull Royal Infirmary and Castle Hill Hospital in Cottingham from Covid-19.

There are limited exceptions, which must be approved in advance with senior ward staff, including for end-of-life care and for birthing partners when a woman is in labour.

Only one parent will be allowed onto paediatric wards and the neonatal intensive care unit.

Extra security will be brought in to make sure people do not try to side-step the rules and attempt to get onto the wards placing "hospital teams and patients in danger".

Chief Executive Chris Long said: “In light of the Government’s instruction over social isolation and the need to stop all but essential travel, we have no alternative but to cease all visiting at our hospitals from Wednesday.

“This is not a step we take lightly. But it is a step we must take if we are to have any chance to protecting our staff and patients from the virus.”

The trust said they were making the announcement on Monday to give people time to make alternative arrangements.

Staff will be redeployed onto wards to take phone calls from relatives allowing frontline ward staff to get on with their work.

It is asking people to stay away if they have a high temperature or dry, continuous cough or are vulnerable as a result of their medication, a chronic illness or they are over 70.