A NURSE in full personal protective equipment took the temperatures of patients at a Worcester GP surgery, refusing entry to those with a fever to reduce the spread of coronavirus.

The protective measure was one of many being taken at Turnpike House Medical Centre in Newtown Road this week and was welcomed by one Worcester family which had to attend a routine appointment. The city dad, who did not wish to be named, had taken his baby son to receive his first immunisation jabs at Haresfield Surgery within Turnpike House and said he was 'very impressed' by how medical staff there responded to the pandemic and how seriously they treated the threat.

The 41-year-old said: “Normally we would have had the jabs at Barbourne Health Centre but they moved the clinic here during the outbreak.

“It was reassuring to see staff in full protective gear, doing their best to protect patients and themselves during what must be difficult and sometimes scary situation for them.

“You have to admire medical staff, many with families of their own at home, who take these risks to protect the community and complete routine work during a time of crisis. To me that’s not only kind but courageous too.

“The woman was checking temperatures with a thermometer and was highly professional and polite but firm when enforcing the rule. The patients I saw were all observing the social distancing rules, keeping well apart.

“Inside the clinical room itself we were met by staff who delivered the injections, also in full PPE. Normally based ay Barbourne Health Centre, the clinical staff also took extra precautions to protect my son and my partner and tried to observe social distancing as much as they were able to. After this experience I feel very grateful for the NHS and to them personally for all they do.”

So far 79 frontline NHS staff are confirmed to have died during the coronavirus pandemic. More than a dozen other deaths are yet to be confirmed. Scientists do not yet know if there is long-lasting immunity from the coronavirus, an infectious disease specialist has said.

Asked whether it was possible that people in Britain could be immune for a few weeks or a month before being able to get or spread the virus again, Professor David Heymann said "that is the question that everyone is trying to answer right now".