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(Video by Sky)Military helicopters are being deployed across the country to support the NHS in the fight against Covid-19, the Government has announced.
The aircraft have been made available to evacuate critically ill patients as well as moving equipment and medical personnel around the country.
They include three RAF Pumas which have been stationed at Kinloss Barracks in Moray, Scotland.
© SAC James Goff/MoD Crown Copyrig RAF Puma helicopters are being deployed to support the NHS (SAC James Goff/MoD/PA They will work with a Chinook and Wildcat based at RAF Leeming in North Yorkshire to provide assistance across Scotland and northern England.
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A second facility working out of the aviation task force headquarters at RAF Benson in Oxfordshire will provide cover for the Midlands and southern England.
Chinook and Wildcat helicopters normally based RAF Odiham and RNAS Yeovilton will also be available to provide support across the South.
Gallery: Coronavirus (COVID-19) outbreak around the world (Photo Services)
Speaking at the daily No 10 press conference, Michael Gove, the Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster, said a RAF A400M transport aircraft had already been used to evacuate a critically ill patient from the Shetland Islands to Aberdeen.
"These helicopter facilities are being set up to support medical transport across Scotland and the rest of the United Kingdom," he told the daily No 10 press conference.
"The task force is also available for general support such as moving equipment and personnel to where they are needed."
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Stay at home to stop coronavirus spreading - here is what you can and can't do. If you think you have the virus, don't go to the GP or hospital, stay indoors and get advice online. Only call NHS 111 if you cannot cope with your symptoms at home; your condition gets worse; or your symptoms do not get better after seven days. In parts of Wales where 111 isn't available, call NHS Direct on 0845 46 47. In Scotland, anyone with symptoms is advised to self-isolate for seven days. In Northern Ireland, call your GP.
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