Coronavirus patient turned up at London A&E in an Uber and was sent home

The first London patient with coronavirus arrived at hospital in an Uber, it has been reported today.

The woman did not arrive in an ambulance or a private vehicle, simply going straight to the A&E reception desk to report her symptoms.

This is a breach of Public Health England guidance aimed at stopping the spread of the virus.

Two staff members from the University Hospital Lewisham (UHL) are currently in isolation at home after coming into contact with the patient, a Chinese national who had recently arrived in the capital from China.

After complaining of symptoms similar to coronavirus the woman was then sent home pending the results of her tests, the Guardian reports.

On Wednesday, after it was confirmed she had Covid-19, she was taken to another London hospital, St Thomas’ near London Bridge, for treatment.

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Staff at UHL have told the Guardian they were worried the patient’s behaviour could have led to some of them catching coronavirus.

In a message to staff, Ben Travis, the chief executive of the Lewisham and Greenwich NHS trust, said: "We wanted to let you know that we have had a confirmed case of coronavirus from a patient who self-presented at the A&E department of University Hospital Lewisham (UHL) last Sunday (9 February).

"The test result was confirmed as positive yesterday (Wednesday 12 February) and we have been in touch with all staff who came into contact with the patient.

"The patient went to [a specialist unit at] St Thomas’ yesterday evening, so we are now able to update all staff."

Ben Travis, Chief Executive of Lewisham and Greenwich NHS Trust in south east London said in a statement issued on their website: "There has been a confirmed case of Coronavirus from a patient who self-presented at the A&E department of University Hospital Lewisham on Sunday February 9

"The test result was confirmed as positive on Wednesday, February 12 and we have been in touch with all staff who came into contact with the patient. The patient went to St Thomas’ yesterday evening.

"Our colleagues in our emergency departments are following the latest advice and protocols from Public Health England.

"In this case, the patient self-presented at our A&E.

"As soon as the patient did this, the patient was given a mask and then escorted to be tested in the dedicated area we have assigned for Coronavirus testing outside the A&E building – while awaiting the installation of a purpose-built “pod”.

"As further assessment was required, the patient was then taken to a dedicated isolation room in the Emergency Department. In line with our protocols, throughout their care, the patient was escorted and did not come into contact with other patients.

"The patient was later discharged and taken home by London Ambulance Service.

"All staff who had direct contact with the patient have been contacted, including two members of staff who are undergoing active surveillance at home for a 14 day period as a precautionary measure – following the advice of Public Health England.

"Finally, I’d like to pass on my thanks to all the staff in our emergency departments for their continued professionalism and dedication to patient care."

Earlier this month, hospitals were told to create "priority assessment pods" for people with suspected coronavirus to keep them away from other patients.

The letter, from Professor Keith Willett, NHS strategic incident director for coronavirus, said plans were needed to avoid a "surge in emergency departments".

Patients who think they have symptoms will be directed to a pod away from A&E, from where they can call specialist NHS 111 teams on a dedicated phone, the letter said.

An assessment will be made by NHS 111 and staff told of the patient's location if further testing is deemed necessary.

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