The three principles of cohort management will reduce the risk of cross infection, protecting staff and other patients in the hospital.

Principle 1: Early identification of suspected COVID-19

• A process to identify a patient at the entrance of the hospital to correctly signpost patients with suspected COVID-19
• Consider all possible routes into the hospital; via ambulance, via GP referral, walk-ins

Principle 2: Establish an assessment area for patients with suspected COVID-19

• Identify an area of the hospital where patients with suspected COVID-19 can be assessed
• Organise the appropriate tests; routine blood tests, throat swab for COVID-19, and a chest x-ray
• If the test results are negative for COVID-19, they can be moved to a general medical ward or other appropriate ward
• If the test results are positive for COVID-19

Principle 3: Establish a cohort ward for patients with confirmed COVID-19

• Patients with confirmed COVID-19 should be moved to a cohort ward for treatment