Ellie Cambridge
21 Mar 2020,
Sun UK
CORONAVIRUS could be being spread at petrol pumps as nurses warn “use gloves”.
The contagious virus can linger on surfaces after being touched by an infected person – with someone only having to use the same item and touch their mouth to catch the disease.
Nurses have reportedly warned people to wear gloves while using petrol pumps
One such message tweeted by a Scottish journalist reads: “A senior nurse at the Queen Elizabeth believes the virus is spreading rapidly through people using petrol pumps.
“She asks that if you need to fill your car up use gloves or a paper towel and then bin them. Please pass this on.”
While no official advice has been issued by HSE or NHS England on it, the Irish Petroleum Industry Association released a statement.
It said: “We wanted to inform customers that pump handles are no more or less prone to the spread of infection than any other hard surface and to outline the significant steps we are taking to combat the spread of Covid-19 and keep our valued customers safe.
“We are following all advice from the HSE and relevant authorities and would ask our valued customers to do the same.
“Please wash or sanitise your hands before and after using fuel pumps and/or wear gloves.
“Wherever possible our members are providing hand sanitiser as well as gloves and paper towels for use at the fuel pumps and we respectfully ask all customers to use only what they need and to leave supplies for others.”
UK TAKES ON COVID-19
It comes as the death toll in the UK rises to 233, with 4,145 people infected with the virus.
The new deaths were recorded for the whole of the UK in the biggest leap yet.
Doctors have told Brits to keep washing their hands, as that is one of the best ways to prevent catching the virus.
Don’t touch your eyes, nose or mouth with unwashed hands and avoid close contact with people who are sick.
Medics are also are urging people to clean their phones every time they wash their hands – in a bid to prevent the spread of coronavirus.
Environment Secretary George Eustice today urged people to “be responsible when you shop” as people have been panic buying supplies.
He told them to think of NHS workers as he outlined measures to bolster the food supply chain.
The Government is urging people to social distance – including steering clear of pubs and restaurants – in order to stop the spread of the bug.
Around 1.4 million Brits are expected to be told to self-isolate on Monday due to coronavirus.
Experts say that older people and those with underlying health conditions are more susceptible to the deadly bug, which has infected more than 5,000 and killed 233 people in the UK.
Health Secretary Matt Hancock has vowed to use the nation’s resources to tackle the spread of coronavirus.
He said: “The only way to think about this is a war, where we look at what the entire resources of the nation are and how we can best deploy those to save lives.
“We’ve got to think about how we bring all the resources of the country to get through this.”
He added that everything possible was being done to avoid a peak in cases as Mr Johnson last night said he was “absolutely confident” the country could send coronavirus “packing” in 12 weeks.
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