AG百家乐在线官网

Coronavirus: Paramedic moves into campervan to protect family from pandemic

Danny Hughes treats coronavirus patients every day and says many of his family are in the high risk group for the disease.

Undated handout photo issued by SECamb of Danny Hughes, who has moved into a campervan to help keep his family safe from Covid-19. PA Photo. Issue date: Thursday March 26, 2020. The NHS worker says he deals with coronavirus patients every day and called on the public to only call 999 in an emergency. See PA story HEALTH Coronavirus. Photo credit should read: Danny Hughes/SECamb/PA Wire NOTE TO EDITORS: This handout photo may only be used in for editorial reporting purposes for the contemporaneou
Image: Danny Hughes has moved into a campervan to help keep his family safe from COVID-19
Why you can trust Sky News

A paramedic worried about passing on coronavirus to his family has moved out of his home and into a campervan.

Danny Hughes, 28, from Newhaven, says he deals with coronavirus patients every day and many of his family are in the high risk group - including one who is pregnant.

A member of his household developed symptoms of COVID-19 while he was out and, rather than risk catching it and being off work for 14 days, Mr Hughes said he "thought it was more advantageous to isolate myself temporarily".

Mr Hughes instead moved into a campervan so that he could continue working for the South East Coast Ambulance, where he is based in Polegate, East Sussex.

Undated handout photo issued by SECamb of the campervan that paramedic Danny Hughes has moved into to help keep his family safe from Covid-19. PA Photo. Issue date: Thursday March 26, 2020. The NHS worker says he deals with coronavirus patients every day and called on the public to only call 999 in an emergency. See PA story HEALTH Coronavirus. Photo credit should read: Danny Hughes/SECamb/PA Wire NOTE TO EDITORS: This handout photo may only be used in for editorial reporting purposes for the co
Image: Mr Hughes has been working 12-hour shifts and overtime during the crisis

"We come into contact with patients who potentially have the coronavirus on a daily basis - whether that is the potential to have it or those who are confirmed as having COVID-19," he said.

"I wanted to put that step forward and protect my family.

"I may not have symptoms but there is nothing to say I won't pass it on to my family."

More on Covid-19

Please use Chrome browser for a more accessible video player

Millions expected to applaud work of NHS staff
Coronavirus: The 1.5 million people in England who need to be 'shielded'
Coronavirus: The 1.5 million people in England who need to be 'shielded'

The number of people who have died in the UK after contracting coronavirus stands at 477 after another three fatalities were confirmed in Scotland, six more in Wales, and three in Northern Ireland.

The latest figures for England, released on Wednesday evening, said 28 people had died in the last 24 hours.

There have been more than 9,000 confirmed cases across the UK.

Please use Chrome browser for a more accessible video player

Inside UK's new coronavirus hospital
Coronavirus: How you can protect your mental health during lockdown
Coronavirus: How you can protect your mental health during lockdown

Mr Hughes, an RAF veteran who has been working 12-hour shifts during the outbreak as well as overtime, has thanked the public for their support.

He said: "It has been very positive overall, the public are very supportive of the ambulance service paramedics and of the NHS as a whole."

But he called on people to obey government guidance so that the NHS is not "overrun" with COVID-19 cases.

He added: "I have witnessed the effects of the virus, and would urge members of the public to read the latest government advice.

"Contact 111 if needed and only call 999 in an emergency to free up ambulances for emergencies.

"We are exceptionally busy as a service."