The British military has been deployed to help stretched ambulance services deal with the coronavirus outbreak.
The 'Covid Support Force' has deployed 80 personnel to assist South Central Ambulance Service which covers Berkshire, Buckinghamshire, Hampshire, Oxfordshire, Sussex and Surrey.
The personnel from all three military branches will help the ambulance service man emergency vehicles as well as take calls at its emergency response centres, according to an MoD statement.
It has also been reported that up to 300 firefighters will assist medics in responding to 999 emergencies during the coronavirus crisis.
Earlier this month it was reported that the Ministry of Defence put 20,000 troops on standby to deal with the unfolding crisis.
As many as 150 troops are learning to drive oxygen tankers to supply hospitals.
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And 10,000 extra personnel, on top of 10,000 already at “high readiness”, will be part of a “Covid Support Force” ready to help Government departments and local resilience forums.
Reservists could be drafted into help as the crisis escalates.
Meanwhile, a Navy hospital ship which supported operations to curb the Ebola outbreak could be used to treat coronavirus patients.
The Royal Fleet Auxiliary vessel Argus, which was based off West Africa in 2014-15 during the ebola crisis, could be used to ease pressure on packed NHS wards.
And last week Downing Street confirmed military planners are set up in teams across the country and did not rule the option out.
The Prime Minister's official spokesman said: "The current focus is on getting the ExCel centre up and running as the NHS Nightingale Hospital.
"But NHS England is actively preparing for a number of scenarios as the outbreak continues and is working with clinicians and teams of military planners around the country."
