Coronavirus: first patients leave London’s Nightingale hospital

The first Covid-19 patients were discharged from the NHS Nightingale emergency hospital in London.

Simon Chung and another man were applauded by staff when they left the hospital at the ExCeL center in Newham on Sunday afternoon, NHS England said.

The temporary facility was built in nine days with a capacity for up to 4,000 admissions and received its first patients on April 7.

Chung, in his 50s, will now be treated at a North London hospital.

‘Long recovery’

NHS England said the father of one had been transferred to Northwick Park Hospital in Harrow to continue his treatment.

Eamonn Sullivan, NHS Nightingale London Director of Nursing, said: “This is wonderful news and a testament to all the doctors and support staff who have been working around the clock to care for our patients.

“Although these two patients being discharged today are out of the woods, their long road to recovery is a reminder of why everyone should do their best to stay safe by following government advice.”

Sir Simon Stevens, Executive Director of NHS England, said: “We have not yet had to make extensive use of Nightingale London thanks to the hard work of NHS staff, who have released over 30,000 existing hospital beds, and the public, who They have played their part by staying home and saving lives.

“It will be a great success for the entire country if we never need to use them, but with more possible coronavirus waves it is important that we have these additional facilities in place and the treatment of patients,” he added.

The London Nightingale is one of seven sites in all of England that offers magnification capabilities.

Captain Tom Moore, 99, who has raised more than £ 26 million by completing laps in his backyard, will be the guest of honor at the opening of Nightingale Hospital in Harrogate on Tuesday.