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.
Thursday 26 March 2020 15:15, UK
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.
"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."
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.
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."