Coronavirus: Three nurses who used bin bags due to PPE shortage ‘test positive for Covid-19’
Staff reportedly warned not to speak to press about lack of equipment
Your support helps us to tell the story
From reproductive rights to climate change to Big Tech, The Independent is on the ground when the story is developing. Whether it's investigating the financials of Elon Musk's pro-Trump PAC or producing our latest documentary, 'The A Word', which shines a light on the American women fighting for reproductive rights, we know how important it is to parse out the facts from the messaging.
At such a critical moment in US history, we need reporters on the ground. Your donation allows us to keep sending journalists to speak to both sides of the story.
The Independent is trusted by Americans across the entire political spectrum. And unlike many other quality news outlets, we choose not to lock Americans out of our reporting and analysis with paywalls. We believe quality journalism should be available to everyone, paid for by those who can afford it.
Your support makes all the difference.Three NHS nurses have reportedly been diagnosed with coronavirus after they were forced to wear bin bags due to a lack of protective equipment.
Frontline staff at Northwick Park Hospital in Harrow were pictured wearing the makeshift Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) last month amid a shortage of masks, gowns and gloves.
The three nurses in the photo were diagnosed with Covid-19 last week, the Daily Telegraph reported.
A senior source at the hospital told the paper more than 50 per cent of staff had contracted the virus on one ward.
They said staff had been warned not to speak to the media about PPE shortages.
Last month, one of the nurses pictured told the paper: “We need proper PPE kit now, or nurses and doctors are going to die. It’s as simple as that.
“We’re treating our own colleagues on the ward after they caught the virus from patients. How can that be right?
“There are so many younger people here on ventilation – many with asthma, or diabetes. They can’t stop coughing, they just cough and cough and cough and they can’t help it.
“But there’s little we can do apart from try to help them breathe. Sometimes the body just gives up, and they die. We can’t save them.”
They added: “There’s too many Covid patients coming in to cope with. We put on our brave smiles but inside we’re terrified.
“I don’t know what will happen next.”
Responding to the claims, a spokesperson for London North West University Healthcare NHS Trust, which runs the hospital, told the paper: ”We can confirm that a number of staff members working in our Covid-19 positive areas have tested positive for the coronavirus.
“This is unfortunate but not unexpected, as it corresponds with the experience of healthcare workers across the world. We are providing full support to those of our staff members who become unwell, and wish them a swift recovery.”
Join our commenting forum
Join thought-provoking conversations, follow other Independent readers and see their replies
Comments