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Daily Mirror
Daily Mirror
National
Bradley Jolly

Coronavirus: Great Ormond Street cancels operations after worker tests positive

One of the largest children's hospitals in the UK has confirmed a case of coronavirus.

Great Ormond Street in central London says a health worker in its cardiology department tested positive.

The hospital has now cancelled some non-essential cardiac operations for two weeks.

"A healthcare professional who works in our cardiology department has tested positive for coronavirus (Covid-19)," it said in a statement today.

"We would like to reassure our families that anybody who came into close contact with this individual is being informed and will be offered advice.

Have you been affected by this story? Contact webnews@mirror.co.uk

The hospital has cancelled surgery on any children with serious heart problems (AFP via Getty Images)
A woman wears a face mask as coronavirus fears continue to grow (Reuters)

"The majority of services are unaffected and all essential treatment is being carried out, and to ensure patient and staff safety the cardiology department will not be carrying out non-essential cardiac procedures including surgery and outpatients."

The development comes after it emerged a sixth patient in the UK - a man in his 80s - died from the infection.

He was fighting the bug in a hospital in Watford, Hertfordshire.

Now, more than 370 people across the UK have coronavirus.

But England's deputy chief medical officer has said we could yet see "many thousands" of people infected.

British Airways, Ryanair and Wizz Air have cancelled all routes to and from Italy meanwhile.

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