Since the 14th of February, when the Royal Hospital Chelsea introduced the first of a graduated series of measures to protect our population of Pensioners and staff, out of a population of 290 Chelsea Pensioners we are very sad to announce that we have suffered five COVID-19 related deaths here within the Royal Hospital, and a further seven COVID-19 related deaths of our Pensioners in our local NHS Hospital, within a total of 34 Pensioners who have passed away this year.
Over 150 Pensioners have recovered from either a confirmed diagnosis of COVID-19 or from COVID-19 like symptoms (before testing was available). All Pensioners are now tested weekly and Pensioner facing staff, 3 times a week, with strict social distance and zoning procedures in place.
We continue to review the measures in place in the Royal Hospital in light of our own detailed analysis, of the clinical and scientific data available from outside and mindful of current and emerging government, NHS and Public Health England advice. We are determined to keep our population protected to the very best of our ability. Our staff continue to work tirelessly to care for and provide all the support needed for the Pensioners, many of them having volunteered to move in to the Royal Hospital to reduce the risk of further ingress of the virus from outside.
We are grateful for the support of a small but significant team from the serving Army who joined us as part of our early preparations and have been with us on site for some weeks. The have enabled us to extend the range of specialist medical support and additional care that we can provide to any Pensioner who falls ill, providing relief to our colleagues in the NHS.
We will update this information on a regular basis. (Correct as of Thursday 21st December 2020).
Please call the relevant ward if you require any further updates on the Chelsea Pensioners who reside there.
- Paget ward: 020 7881 5262
- Jones ward: 020 7881 5223
- Campbell ward: 020 7881 5551
- Longs wards: 020 7881 5336 (please contact Company Captain, if known, in the first instance)
