An incident room is coordinating the fight against coronavirus at a Norfolk hospital.

It has been set up to ensure patients and staff get the best possible care at the Queen Elizabeth Hospital in King’s Lynn, as the pandemic peaks.

So far 18 people have tested positive at the QEH, where two elderly patients who had underlying health conditions have died. One person has made a complete recovery and been discharged.

MORE - Coronavirus patient recovers at Norfolk hospital

Medical secretary manager Alyson Lacey, 50, has been seconded to the incident room.

Whether responding to staff enquiries about self-isolation, helping to organise the delivery of Covid-19 testing kits, arranging accommodation for staff or answering calls to the staff helpline, it will play a really important part in ensuring that the hospital remains able to cope.

Mrs Lacey, who joined the QEH 12 years ago as a medical secretary, she said she isn’t daunted by the prospect as the country faces its biggest national emergency since the Second World War.

MORE - Coronavirus peak expected soon“My husband is ex-RAF so he knows what it is like when situations like this happen,” she said.

“Things like this happen in our line of work and you know that you have to adapt quickly and change your normal routine and I feel that has helped me to cope with the present crisis.

“I feel that the secretarial and administrative roles are vital in times like this because they can be redeployed anywhere in the hospital.” Mrs Lacey thanked the community for the support it has shown to the NHS, including local businesses that are offering accommodation to staff.

“I find it challenging, but I enjoy it and therefore I don’t get stressed. I think it helps that we have got a really good team here in the incident room and while I do my best to support the staff with their enquiries. I also feel that I’m supported as well by the team around me.”

MORE - Sign up for the latest updates about coronavirus in NorfolkThe public are being urged to follow the Government’s very clear COVID-19 advice. This includes reducing contact with others as much as possible and washing your hands as often as you can with soap for at least 20 seconds and avoid touching your mouth, nose and eyes with unwashed hands. Catch coughs and sneezes in a tissue and bin it before washing your hands.

You can show support for the QEH by thanking our staff on social media by tweeting #thankyou to @TeamQEH or follow the Facebook page @TeamQEH.