Temporary mortuary set up in Surrey as hospitals reach capacity
It is being reported local hospital mortuaries are full
A temporary site for bodies has been set at Headley Court in Leatherhead in response to demand as local hospitals struggle to cope with rising cases.
The former military hospital in Leatherhead is housing around 170 bodies as hospital mortuaries in Surrey reach capacity.
The facility first opened last year, to alleviate pressure during the first wave of Covid-19.
It can accommodate 800 - while hospital mortuaries in the county can store 600.
A Surrey Local Resilience Forum spokesperson has said more than half of those kept at Headley Court had died with coronavirus.
The spokesman said the county would be left in "real difficulty'' if the 1,400 capacity is exceeded in the coming weeks.
He told the PA news agency: "To put some perspective on this, during the first wave, they had 700 bodies go through that (temporary) facility.
"The first wave lasted approximately 12 weeks from mid-March to mid-May.
"Since December 21, after just two-and-a-half weeks, they have had 300 bodies go through it.''