Eight new cases of coronavirus have been reported in Essex.

Public Health England has confirmed 88 cases in the county, as of March 25.

London accounts for 3,247 of the UK’s 9,529 total cases of the deadly virus which has so far claimed 463 lives.

Work is underway to build a temporary hospital – the NHS Nightingale hospital – at the ExCel centre in Canning Town.

Lorries were seen delivering equipment to the site which will see two wards constructed, each holding 2,000 patients.

Health bosses are identifying staff to be rapidly deployed to the new field hospital.

The Health Service Journal (HSJ) reported on Wednesday that leaders were "urgently" identifying staff who could be redeployed quickly at the new Nightingale Hospital.

An email from a London trust chief executive to staff, seen by the HSJ, said a response was needed within hours and accommodation could be provided if necessary.

It added: "Along with other NHS trusts, we have been asked to identify a range of our people to help staff the new Nightingale Hospital at the ExCeL centre in east London.

"This is a key element of the NHS national response to coronavirus and will provide the first major wave of 'surge' capacity.

"The urgency in identifying staff is to allow time for training to take place before opening to patients.

"We have asked divisional clinical leads to identify and approach staff who may be able to be redeployed quickly to the ExCeL and, in the interests of time, we are also asking staff directly to come forward to be considered for redeployment.

"Accommodation will be provided if required."

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