Police in Manchester have expressed relief after a temporary mortuary set up to cope with the increase in deaths from the coronavirus pandemic has been closed.
The makeshift morgue at an industrial unit in Trafford Park was constructed last month to support the city’s burial services by hosting victims, but the reduction in daily deaths means it can now be placed on standby.
The facility, which can hold up to 1,000 bodies, will remain in place in case it needs to be opened back again in the months ahead, according to Greater Manchester Police.
Nick Bailey, assistant chief constable for the force, said: “I’m pleased to say that we’re now in a position where operation of the facility can be reduced.
“Thankfully, it has only been necessary to use a small percentage of the site’s total potential capacity, but it is only right that we prepared for the worst-case scenario.”
Temporary mortuary facilities have been constructed in cities across the UK since the beginning of the outbreak.
Some of the makeshift “Nightingale” hospitals set up to help the NHS cope with Covid-19 admissions have placed on standby, including the landmark facility set up at east London’s ExCel conference centre.
The Nightingale hospital in Belfast is to be temporarily stood down, the Northern Ireland executive’s health minister Robin Swann announced earlier on Thursday morning.
Greater Manchester Police have not revealed how many people who died from Covid-19 had been taken to the temporary mortuary over the past four weeks.
Mr Bailey said the facility set up near the Trafford Centre shopping centre on 13 April had “performed a crucial role in providing the extra capacity Greater Manchester needed during these unprecedented times”.
He added: “It has helped ensure burial services were able to continue as routinely as possible and allowed us to continue treating those who sadly passed away with the dignity and respect they deserve.”
The assistant chief constable said the majority of police officers and staff who volunteered to operated the facility will now return to their usual roles within the force.
He added: “A small number of staff will remain at the facility. All those who have been involved in its operation will be fully supported during their phased redeployment over the coming weeks.”
