Coronavirus: London’s first patient turned up at hospital in Uber taxi

Woman flouted official guidance to self-isolate and call NHS 111, officials say

London’s first confirmed coronavirus patient travelled to hospital in a Uber taxi in breach of official health advice.

The Chinese woman, who has not been named, turned up unannounced at the A&E department in Lewisham on Sunday.

She was diagnosed with Covid-19 on Wednesday and transferred to the specialist centre at St Thomas’ Hospital in central London.

Her contact with medical staff has resulted in two people being placed under “active surveillance” at home for 14 days as a precaution.

Uber said that it had temporarily suspended the account of its driver following advice from Public Health England.

The woman did not come into contact with any other patients, according to Ben Travis, chief executive of Lewisham and Greenwich NHS Trust.

“In this case, the patient self-presented at our A&E,” Mr Travis added.

“As soon as the patient did this, the patient was given a mask and then escorted to be tested in the dedicated area we have assigned for coronavirus testing outside the A&E building – while awaiting the installation of a purpose-built pod.

“As further assessment was required, the patient was then taken to a dedicated isolation room in the emergency department.

“In line with our protocols, throughout their care, the patient was escorted and did not come into contact with other patients. The patient was later discharged and taken home by London Ambulance Service.

“All staff who had direct contact with the patient have been contacted, including two members of staff who are undergoing active surveillance at home for a 14-day period as a precautionary measure, following the advice of Public Health England.”

Official guidance issued by the Department of Health advises travellers from China to “stay indoors and avoid contact with other people as you would with the flu” and call NHS 111.

Simon Stevens, the chief executive of the NHS, has also urged the public to act responsibly by self-isolating to reduce the spread of the virus.

He issued the warning as more than 80 people quarantined at Arrowe Park Hospital on the Wirral were allowed to leave following 14 days in isolation.

One of those evacuees from the Chinese city of Wuhan, 38-year-old Matt Raw, from Knutsford in Cheshire, shouted as he left: ”We’re free... and the sun’s shining”.

Additional reporting by Press Association