Joint Statement from NHS, Merseyside Police, NWAS, Wirral Council 13th May 2026

Joint Statement from NHS England North West, NHS Cheshire and Merseyside ICB, Merseyside Police, North West Ambulance Service, and Wirral Council

We are pleased to confirm that a number of the passengers from MV Hondius who have been staying in the accommodation block on the site of Arrowe Park Hospital have now completed their precautionary period of isolation and are now able to leave to return home to complete their isolation.

We know that this has been an unsettling and difficult time for them, and we want to wish them all well as they depart.

We would like to thank them sincerely for their patience, cooperation and good spirit throughout their stay. Their compliance with the isolation arrangements has been an important part of keeping the wider public safe, and we are grateful for the understanding they have shown throughout.

A number of guests still remain in the accommodation block on the site of Arrowe Park Hospital, and we want to assure them, and the public, that the same high standard of care, support and professionalism that has characterised this response from the outset will continue for as long as it is needed. UKHSA and NHS teams remain on site directly supporting all guests throughout this period.

In addition, we have worked with UKHSA to support a small number of individuals who had been isolating at home or elsewhere in England and who have now been transferred to Arrowe Park for assessment.

The risk to the general public remains very low, as the UK Health Security Agency has consistently confirmed. Hantavirus is not spread through everyday social contact, and robust infection control measures remain in place at every stage. The hospital continues to operate completely normally, and patients, visitors and staff should continue to come to Arrowe Park with complete confidence. There is no risk to patients, visitors or staff.

We would once again like to pay tribute to the outstanding efforts of staff and partners across the NHS, emergency services and local government who have worked with such dedication, professionalism and care throughout this response. Their commitment has been recognised and praised widely, and rightly so. We remain proud of everything that has been achieved together, and we will continue to work closely with the UK Health Security Agency and all partner organisations as the situation develops.

Background

• All contacts who remain at Arrowe Park remain asymptomatic; they have no symptoms. All testing of contacts has been negative for Hantavirus.