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A temporary mortuary is being built in Plymouth as a precautionary measure in line with the national response to coronavirus.

The city council is constructing the facility at Agaton Fort in Ernesettle in the north-west of the city, which it has taken over on a temporary basis.

Cllr Sally Haydon said she wanted to reassure people that the step was being taken as a precaution.

She said the site would be screened from view and added: “It is just in case. I really want to make that clear.

“The last thing we want is for anyone to feel any more frightened, so I just want to reassure people it is only precautionary and temporary.”

The council’s cabinet member for community safety said she had written to around two dozen residents living in the area to inform them of what was happening and offering to answer any questions.

A statement issued by the city council on Friday said: "The steps the government is taking to respond to the COVID-19 pandemic will save lives. However, sadly, people will lose loved ones as a result of this disease.

"Like all local authorities up and down the country we are making preparations for an increase in the number of deaths as a result of COVID-19.

“We are making preparations in our cemeteries and crematoria but are taking the precaution of setting up a temporary mortuary facility to cope with additional pressure on the system.

“This facility will be at Agaton Fort in Ernesettle which we have acquired on a temporary basis.

“The temporary facility will be built at this site so that the deceased can be carefully stored with dignity in a robust and secure location should the need arise.”

(Image: Google)

The council declined to put a figure on the capacity for the mortuary.

The statement said: "We are making these arrangements in a calm and measured way to let people know that we are thinking ahead but appreciate this is enormously difficult for all of us to contemplate.

"We are working closely with funeral directors and faiths across the city to provide them with support and information that they will need to help guide grieving families."

Cllr Haydon added: "The fact that we are taking these precautions shows the importance of observing social distancing and following the Government’s instructions to stay at home unless absolutely necessary. We hope we never have to use it."

One of Plymouth’s two crematoria was put out of action when the facility at Efford was badly damaged by fire at the new year.

The city council has been working on repairs to bring it back into use.

Official COVID-19 coronavirus symptoms according to NHS The NHS says you must not leave your home if have the following symptoms A high temperature – this means you feel hot to touch on your chest or back (you do not need to measure your temperature)

– this means you feel hot to touch on your chest or back (you do not need to measure your temperature) A new, continuous cough – this means coughing a lot for more than an hour, or 3 or more coughing episodes in 24 hours (if you usually have a cough, it may be worse than usual)

– this means coughing a lot for more than an hour, or 3 or more coughing episodes in 24 hours (if you usually have a cough, it may be worse than usual) a loss or change to your sense of smell or taste – this means you've noticed you cannot smell or taste anything, or things smell or taste different to normal Most people with coronavirus have at least 1 of these symptoms. What to do if you have symptoms If you have any of the main symptoms of coronavirus: Get a test to check if you have coronavirus as soon as possible. Stay at home and do not have visitors until you get your test result – only leave your home to have a test. Anyone you live with, and anyone in your support bubble, must also stay at home until you get your result.

Elsewhere, work has started on a temporary mortuary at Birmingham Airport next to the National Exhibition Centre. It will initially have space for 1,500 bodies with space to expand to hold more.

The Government and the NHS announced on Friday that another 181 people in the UK with the COVID-19 coronavirus had died.

That brought the total number of deaths reported by 5pm on Thursday, March 26, in the UK to 759, up from 578.

No new deaths have been reported in Plymouth, the rest of Devon, or Cornwall.

The Department of Health added the number of people who had tested positive for Covid-19 was 14,579 as of 9am on Friday, up from 11,658 at the same time on Thursday.