Greenwood Funeral Directors in Chelmsford. Photo: Google Maps A new temporary mortuary is to open as deaths from Covid-19 continue to rise. Essex County Council is spending £700,000 to run a temporary mortuary for the storage of an additional 330 bodies at Greenwood Funeral Directors in Chelmsford. The decision comes amidst a rapidly increasing death rate. Prior to Christmas, there was 50 per cent capacity in the system but this has reduced to 34 per cent this week and capacity is expected to continue to reduce over the coming weeks. There are parts of Essex which are approaching capacity already. Permanent mortuary capacity at hospitals in Essex amounts to 737 – this capacity was enhanced to 1,211 after extra space was created.
THERE are no plans to reopen a temporary mortuary – despite a rise in coronavirus cases and deaths in Essex.
Data shows that 36 people died in Essex hospitals from Covid-19 between November 11, 2020 and January 5, 2021.
Nine of those were in Basildon and Thurrock, seven in Mid Essex Hospital and East Suffolk and North Essex hospitals, one in Essex Partnership Hospitals, six in Southend Hospital and Princess Alexandra in Harlow.
In the seven days to December 31 – the latest date for which complete data is available – there were 15,474 confirmed cases of Covid-19 in Essex.
In the same period, the weekly case rate for Essex was 1,039 per 100,000.
It was announced in April that a temporary mortuary would be set up at the park and ride facility in Essex Regiment Way. Photo: Google There are no plans to reopen a temporary mortuary – despite a rise in coronavirus cases and deaths in Essex. Data shows that 36 people died in Essex hospitals from Covid-19 between November 11, 2020 and January 5, 2021. Nine of those were in Basildon and Thurrock, seven in Mid Essex Hospital and East Suffolk and North Essex hospitals, one in Essex Partnership Hospitals, six in Southend Hospital and Princess Alexandra in Harlow. In the seven days to December 31 – the latest date for which complete data is available – there were 15,474 confirmed cases of Covid-19 in Essex.