Sunderland Royal Hospital has installed an operational pod in order to test potential victims of the Coronavirus.
In the wake of the news that there are nine known victims infected with the increasingly potent Coronavirus in the UK, the hospital has acted and introduced a safe place where suspected victims can be treated.
As of 2pm on Thursday February 13, more than 2,000 people have been tested for the virus in the UK alone. This is an increase of 763 from the previous day. With the number of potential cases rising in the UK, potential victims are being urged to self-isolate themselves. In China, where the virus originated, there have already been almost 60,000 confirmed cases, with well over 1,000 of those succumbing to the illness.
The virus can be contracted both through the air and through physical contact with either an infected person or even an object which an infected person has touched. Currently, there is no known cure for the virus, which is why it is vital to undergo a test if you have any fears that you may have contracted the illness.
Additional pods have also been installed at the University Hospital Hartlepool and the University Hospital of North Tees, with the pods now becoming mandatory for hospital facilities across the country. However, these pods are not an admission that there are more cases of infection in the area, but rather a simple precaution to try and preserve the safety of residents and ensure those who are at risk can be treated accordingly. If a person believes they or someone they know may have the virus, they are advised to make use of the newly-established testing facilities.