Arrowe Park Hospital on the Wirral, which housed British evacuees from Wuhan during the early days of the Covid pandemic, is once again being used for quarantine. This time, it will accommodate passengers from the MV Hondius cruise ship, which has been affected by a hantavirus outbreak.
Quarantine Centre Reactivated
The hospital's accommodation block, which previously held 83 evacuees from Wuhan in January 2020, will now house British nationals from the Hondius. The World Health Organisation (WHO) reported on Saturday that no symptomatic passengers remain aboard, but six confirmed hantavirus cases have been linked to the ship, with four patients hospitalised. A total of eight cases, including three deaths, have been reported, with one previous suspected case reclassified after testing negative.
Three British nationals are among the eight cases: two confirmed and one suspected. The UK Health Security Agency (UKHSA) has assessed the risk to the public as low.
Evacuation and Repatriation
Rescue teams, including UK government staff, began evacuating up to 147 people, including 22 Britons, from the Hondius after it arrived in Tenerife. The evacuation must be completed within 24 hours to avoid weather-related delays. Passengers testing negative and showing no symptoms will be flown to the UK on a chartered repatriation flight staffed by medical professionals and equipped with personal protective equipment.
Upon arrival in the UK, passengers will be taken to Arrowe Park for clinical assessments and testing as a precaution. No symptomatic individuals will be transferred to the hospital; if anyone becomes unwell, they will be moved to another facility.
Previous Experience at Arrowe Park
During the 2020 quarantine, Arrowe Park faced challenges such as managing a pregnant woman close to term, varying understandings of the virus among evacuees, and logistical issues with water supply, ventilation, food, and hygiene. Similar challenges may arise with the hantavirus quarantine, though the disease is considered less severe than Covid-19.
Evacuees in 2020 received food initially consisting of sandwiches and ready meals, later provided by a catering company. Some complained about the food, leading to changes in the menu. Wine and spirits were ordered and consumed in paper cups, and some evacuees threatened to leave. However, most adapted, using games consoles, books, and TV shows like Peep Show to pass the time.
Upon release, one evacuee, Matt Raw, raised his fist in celebration, saying, "We're free ... and the sun's shining." Another left a note thanking staff for their compassion and professionalism.
Military Support for Tristan da Cunha
Meanwhile, the Ministry of Defence (MoD) deployed a specialist Army team and medical personnel via parachute to the British overseas territory Tristan da Cunha after a British national from the Hondius disembarked there with a suspected hantavirus case. Six paratroopers, an RAF consultant, and an Army nurse from 16 Air Assault Brigade parachuted, while oxygen supplies and medical aid were dropped. This marked the first time medical personnel have been parachuted in for humanitarian support.
Foreign Secretary Yvette Cooper stated that the safety of all members of the British family is the top priority, and the government will continue to work with international authorities and the Tristan da Cunha administration.
