Temporary mortuary in Norfolk is now being used by local hospital
The temporary mortuary was built during the first lockdown last year.
Norfolk County Council has confirmed that a temporary mortuary on the former RAF Coltishall base in Norfolk is now in use.
It was built at the Scottow Enterprise Park last year.
In a statment, Tom McCabe, who's Chair of the Covid-19 Strategic Coordination Group said: "As we confirmed earlier last year, at the beginning of the pandemic a temporary mortuary was set up at the former RAF Coltishall base, north east of Norwich.
"This short-term mortuary at the 600-acre Scottow Enterprise Park site in the village of Badersfield, was put in place to ensure that we treat people who have died with the dignity and respect they deserve in these exceptional circumstances for us all.
"It was always anticipated that during challenging periods there would be extra pressures on mortuaries, undertakers and crematoria.
"This temporary mortuary provides additional capacity to help make sure the county's hospitals have enough flexibility of space in their own mortuaries and to ensure we can provide the most respectful and dignified way to look after both those who have died, and their families, over this difficult periods.
"Anyone whose loved one is moved to the Scottow location will be informed and we can reassure people that we have a dedicated, trained, team of staff who care for those who have died and been taken there. The temporary mortuary also received a blessing from the Bishop of Norwich back in April last year, with him making a prayer of dedication in a special address from his home.
"One of the county's hospitals, the Norfolk and Norwich University Hospital, has now had to put their business continuity plans in place to use a number of these mortuary spaces."
The Norfolk and Norwich Hospital has confirmed it has begun to use the site.
The Trust's Chief of Division Clinical Support Services, Dr Richard Goodwin, said: "Our priority is to always ensure that the deceased are treated with respect and dignity, and therefore we work with our partners to ensure every year we can use additional mortuary space, if needed."