EXCLUSIVE: Temporary morgues set up to cope with thousands of Covid-19 victims are mothballed as death rate drops
- Four morgues in London - including a super-morgue - are taking no more bodies
- They will be mothballed and only used if there is a second spike
- A source said bodies currently held at the temporary morgues would be kept until their funerals
- A morgue built in Westminster has been dismantled as death rate drops
- Several temporary morgues built around the country have not been used at all
Temporary morgues set up around Britain amid the Covid-19 pandemic are being mothballed as the coronavirus death rate drops.
And some mortuaries introduced nationwide, as part of a Government strategy to place 30,000 bodies in temporary care, have not taken in a single victim, Mail Online can reveal.
Operations at four temporary morgues in the capital, including the ‘super morgue’ in East London which can hold 3,000, are also being scaled down and will no longer accept bodies unless there is a second peak in Covid-19 deaths.
A fifth morgue in central London has been dismantled and others are also set to close, providing further proof the pandemic crisis has peaked.
The morgue which had been set up to look after up to 112 bodies behind Westminster Coroner’s Court has closed and workers organised the removal of refrigerators, racks and flooring.
Temporary morgues set up around Britain amid the Covid-19 pandemic are being mothballed as the coronavirus death rate drops. This morgue in central London has been dismantled and others are also set to close, providing further proof the pandemic crisis has peaked
The morgue which had been set up to look after up to 112 bodies behind Westminster Coroner’s Court has closed and workers organised the removal of refrigerators, racks and flooring
Manchester police revealed a massive morgue built to take care of 1,000 victims at the Trafford Park has closed down and put on standby. Pictured: Westminster morgue
Operations at four temporary morgues in the capital, including the ‘super morgue’ in East London (above) which can hold 3,000, are also being scaled down and will no longer accept bodies unless there is a second peak in Covid-19 deaths
Manchester police revealed a massive morgue built to take care of 1,000 victims at the Trafford Park has closed down and put on standby.
In Essex, a morgue erected close to Chelmsford to care for 250 victims has not taken in a single body since opening last month and sources said it is expected to close this week.
A mortuary at Scottow in Norfolk, which was erected at a 600-acre site, has also been ‘100 per cent empty’ with no Covid-19 victims being ferried there.
In Birmingham, a morgue built to look after 12,000 victims was said to have ‘small numbers’ of people killed by the disease.
The four remaining London temporary morgues in Newham, Hillingdon, Wandsworth and Havering will continue to have round-the-clock security and site management.
A source with the Strategic Coordination Group which oversees the temporary morgues said of the four London sites: ‘The facilities are being put into standby, but can be scaled back up if demand increases.
‘Structures will remain in place at the four locations to be used in the event demand increases.
‘But with immediate effect loved ones will no longer be taken to these temporary mortuaries because capacity is sufficient elsewhere in London at this time.’
She said Covid-19 victims already placed in the four mortuaries will remain until funeral arrangements have been made.
Hospital morgues and those adjacent to coroner’s courts will continue to care for victims.
Some mortuaries introduced nationwide, as part of a Government strategy to place 30,000 bodies in temporary care, have not taken in a single victim, Mail Online can reveal. Pictured: The super morgue in Newham, east London
The four remaining London temporary morgues in Newham (above), Hillingdon, Wandsworth and Havering will continue to have round-the-clock security and site management. At the peak of the crisis a line of hearses could be seen at the facility
At the outbreak of the virus, Mail Online revealed a super morgue had been developed in Newham, East London for 3,000 victims after one a few miles away in Walthamstow was closed down through under-use.
At the peak of the crisis a line of hearses could be seen at the facility but now it is being scaled down, residents spoke of their relief.
One resident who lives opposite the Newham morgue said: ‘About a month ago there was a consistent buzzing from the refrigerators installed to keep the bodies at the correct temperatures before they were taken away for cremation or burial.
‘That noise has diminished greatly over the past fortnight which I suppose is better news as that means there are less people dying and less bodies to be brought there.
‘It has been erected on the beautiful Epping Forest and I am glad it will not have any more bodies over there. I hope it is taken down soon. ‘
A spokesman for Norfolk County Council said: ‘The temporary mortuary at Scottow was set up to cope with the expected increase in the numbers dying from COVID-19.
‘We always hoped that it wouldn’t be needed and that social distancing measures would work in keeping the rate of infection down.
‘The government has confirmed that the virus has now peaked and we have not had to use the centre at Scottow. As a result, we have reduced the number of people on site and have paused work at the mortuary.
‘However, we are not complacent and will continue to maintain the mortuary over the coming months. We continue to hope that it is not needed and the numbers losing their lives to this disease continues to reduce.’
A mortuary at Scottow in Norfolk, which was erected at a 600-acre site, has also been ‘100 per cent empty’ with no Covid-19 victims being ferried there. In Birmingham a morgue built to look after 12,000 victims was said to have ‘small numbers’ of people killed by the disease
A spokesman for Norfolk County Council said: ‘The temporary mortuary at Scottow was set up to cope with the expected increase in the numbers dying from COVID-19. ‘We always hoped that it wouldn’t be needed'
The government has confirmed that the virus has now peaked and the centre at Scottow has not been used
An Essex County Council spokesman confirmed its morgue at Chelmsford had remained empty throughout the pandemic.
A spokesman added: ‘Since it was set up in the middle of April the temporary mortuary at Chelmer Valley near Chelmsford has been on standby, but has not been used.
‘A decision is being made on the future of this mortuary later this week.’
The government is keeping them ‘under constant review as to whether they should be scaled up or down’ said a source.
The number of Covid-19 related deaths in one day soared to 1,172 on April 21, but latest figures show that 377 people have died in the UK in a 24 hour period.
Between 11 and 15 May, there were 4,210 death registrations mentioning Covid-19, across the UK.
Down from 4,426 the previous week, it is the lowest weekly figure since the 3,801 for the week ending 10 April.
Coronavirus accounted for just over 25 per cent of all deaths in the UK in the week to 15 May.
The number of Covid-19 related deaths in one day soared to 1,172 on April 21, but latest figures show that 377 people have died in the UK
Coronavirus accounted for just over 25 per cent of all deaths in the UK in the week to 15 May
In the week to 17 April, when deaths from the virus reached their peak, this figure was just under 40 per cent.
Lockdown measures were introduced across the UK on 23 March.
Death registrations mentioning Covid-19 fell in every setting in the week to 15 May
No comments: