NO ESCAPE FROM THE VIRUS

Doctor says there is still lots to learn about the disease before vaccine can be created

- Jennifer Hyland

An intensive care consultant on the front line of the coronavirus crisis fears it’s “inevitable” that he will fall ill with the killer bug.

Dr. Stephen Cole said being stocked up with vital personal protective equipment (PPE) still does not quash concerns that he will contract COVID-19.

And the specialist, who is president of the Scottish Intensive Care Society (SICS), revealed he thinks it is certain he will develop symptoms because current measures only suppress the spread of COVID-19.

He thinks medical staff who face working in an environment where families are separated from critically ill loved ones will continue to live in fear until a vaccine is developed.

Cole, NHS Tayside’s consultant in anaesthesia and intensive care medicine, said: “So far, I’ve not had any symptoms but I suspect it’s inevitable that at some point I will.

“What we are all uncertain of is how many people will contract this without having any symptoms at all and that is the great unknown.

“This is a new disease. We are all finding our feet in terms of what it is. I think it’s fair to say people are concerned when they come to work.

“In ICU, we have more than adequate stocks of PPE, it is available at all times and we’re doing all we can to protect ourselves while caring for these critically ill patients.

“I’m staying at home and coming to work. I’m going home and making sure I have a shower. We work in scrubs, we take them off.

“We’re doing all we can to ensure we don’t cause any contamination at home.”