A TOP British surgeon who has tested positive for coronavirus may have infected hundreds of vulnerable patients as he failed to self-isolate after contracting the killer bug on holiday in Italy.

The senior surgeon at Liverpool’s Aintree University Hospital returned from a family skiing trip in northern Italy last week.

The top British surgeon works at the Aintree University Hospital in Merseyside Credit: Mercury Press

A commuter checks his watch while wearing a medical mask at Westminster Underground Station in central London this morning Credit: London News Pictures

The dad, who operates on anyone with a range of conditions from cancer to sinus disease, did not self-isolate and carried on with his work as usual.

He continued to treat scores of patients while carrying the bug.

It comes as a sixth person died in Britain after contracting COVID-19.

The death of the patient - a grandad in his 80s - came as the UK infection rate spiked today to 373.

SURGEON QUARANTINED

The doc at Aintree University Hospital arrived back in the UK after a trip with some family members on February 29 and went to work as usual just two days later on March 2.

At the time, government advice allowed those who returned from northern Italy - excluding 11 specific quarantined towns - to carry on as normal if they were not displaying flu-like symptoms.

It is not known whether the doctor had any of the symptoms when he arrived back in the UK.

It is believed he attended a team meeting at the hospital last Wednesday alongside dozens of other surgeons - who all went on to treat patients not knowing they may have come into contact with the killer virus.

He was asked to go home by the hospital later in the day after he started to feel ill and has since tested positive for coronavirus.

Other members of staff are now showing symptoms and being tested for the bug too - with at least two already in self-quarantine.

There are fears he could have infected a large number of patients.

Symptoms of coronavirus take up to two weeks from contraction to showing and the virus can be passed on without people knowing they have it.

A source said: “He came back and even though everyone knew if they travelled to that part, they should self-isolate, he didn’t and he went back to the hospital on the Monday.

It’s very worrying for his patients and also for colleagues who have come into contact with him. Sun source

“He’s done surgery on patients and it was only on the Wednesday he started to feel ill.

“It’s very worrying for his patients and also for colleagues who have come into contact with him.

“He has a lot of expertise and is highly regarded and very experienced, so it is surprising he stepped foot in that hospital until he'd spent two weeks in self-quarantine.”

The doctor also works at another hospital, where an initial consultation with him costs £175.

A Liverpool University Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust spokesman said: "We can confirm that a member of staff based at Aintree University Hospital has tested positive for COVID-19 after recently returning from a holiday in Italy.

“The safety of our patients and staff is our top priority and we are working with Public Health England and NHS England to inform and advise everyone who may have come into contact with this individual.



INFECTED

“We have reiterated to our staff the protocols for controlling infection, which include checking for the latest updates on affected areas designated by the government and informing their manager if they have recently travelled to any of them.

“Aintree University Hospital remains open and patients should attend their appointments as planned unless they are unwell.

"For the majority of people the risk from COVID-19 is low.

"The NHS has an online service that can tell you if you need medical help, which is available at www.111.nhs.uk/covid-19 or by calling NHS 111.”

Britain's sixth fatality of the coronavirus outbreak died at Watford general hospital, NHS England confirmed today

SIXTH DEATH

The man in his early 80s had underlying health conditions.

In a statement, his devastated family said: "We have lost a loving, caring father, grandfather and brother.

"His age and failing health did not stop him from living a full and complete life and always doing things for other people. He was guided by his innate kindness.

"Our father will be sorely missed, not just by us but by those whose lives he touched."

Meanwhile, a healthcare professional who works in the cardiology department at Great Ormond Street Hospital for Children in London tested positive for the disease.

And a second student at Oxford University has also tested positive.

We can confirm that a member of staff based at Aintree University Hospital has tested positive for COVID-19 after recently returning from a holiday in Italy. Liverpool University Hospitals

Those with underlying health conditions and the elderly are most at risk of dying from the bug, which has so far claimed almost 4,000 lives around the globe.

Italy has the highest infection rate outside of mainland China - with the north remaining the worst-affected.

Large regions of the country were put on lockdown at the weekend in a bid to contain the virus.

The killer disease has gripped Italy where the death toll increased by 133 to 366 on Sunday, while the number of cases skyrocketed from 1,492 to 7,375.

The news comes after a nurse was told to self-quarantine after a patient tested positive for coronavirus at Wythenshawe Hospital, Gtr Manchester, but claims she was told to return to work - despite showing symptoms of the deadly bug.



KILLER BUG

Mandy Hulse, 51, and her colleagues were ordered to take two weeks off after a case was diagnosed on their ward.

She was not supposed to return until March 15 and was told to self-isolate until then.

But - despite informing her bosses she has developed a cough and a “very sore throat” - she claims she was told on Friday she was needed back at the hospital on Monday.

Her husband Rick, 59, claims no testing has been offered to Mandy, who has worked in the profession for 25 years, and the infected patient had been on the respiratory ward for several days before being transferred to ICU.

Speaking from his home in Manchester, Rick said: “I am really angry about it.

“It makes no sense. I’m guessing because it’s a total of 13 staff, the bean counters are worried about their budgets and it costing too much.

“But what about the duty of care for the patients and staff?"

Rick’s post racked up over 600 shares in just a few hours, sparking fierce backlash online.

A Manchester University NHS Foundation Trust spokeswoman said: "The Trust has issued clear guidance about self-isolation following consultation with Public Health England.

"If any member of staff is concerned then they should contact NHS 111 directly in line with the national guidance.

"We will update this guidance in our communication to staff as it changes.”

A woman wears a face mask as she walks along Oxford Street in London Credit: London News Pictures

London commuters continued to wear masks on the Tube this morning Credit: London News Pictures

The Victor Emmanuel II National Monument in Rome was deserted on Tuesday morning Credit: AFP or licensors