Work has begun to build a temporary mortuary site at Birmingham airport as the death toll of the coronavirus in the UK reaches 1,288 and confirmed cases reach close to 20,000.
The facility could house as many as 12,000 bodies as the death toll continues to rise following the trajectory of other countries such as Italy and Spain that are further along in the pandemic curve.
The facility will initially be able to accommodate 1,500 bodies. However, should capacity exceed this, it will eventually be able to house 12,000 bodies in a worst-case scenario.
“Birmingham Airport can confirm that it is working with the authorities to provide land and a hangar for a temporary mortuary site at the Elmdon side of Birmingham Airport, to support with the COVID-19 pandemic,” a Birmingham Airport spokesperson told the media.
Police said there was “scope to expand” the starting capacity of 1,500, as the region prepared for a predicted rise in coronavirus deaths.
The force said regional mortuaries may close as staff were transferred to the new facility, which could eventually accommodate all deaths across the West Midlands.
This would include those unrelated to coronavirus, it said.
The force said it would do everything possible to accommodate religious requirements and that it was “vital” to give people “the utmost dignity and respect” at all times.
While it is hoped that the UK death toll for this virus doesn’t outgrow the capacity of the country’s systems and facilities, the path of other nations demonstrates what is likely to happen in the next few weeks.
Italy reported 756 new coronavirus deaths on Sunday taking the total number of fatalities to 10,779 as it continues to pay the heaviest price in the world from the contagion.
Spain’s health ministry announced 838 new coronavirus deaths, marking the country’s highest daily jump in fatalities and bringing its total to 6,528.
At the time of writing, worldwide, the number of cases has reached more than 710,000. Some 149,000 people have recovered, while more than 33,000 have died.
