A temporary morgue is being set up on Sussex University’s campus to help cope with COVID-19 deaths

The morgue is set to arrive tomorrow and will consist of 300 spaces


As the coronavirus death toll rises and nears thirteen thousand across the UK,  three hundred spaces in a temporary morgue on Sussex University’s campus is set to be arrive tomorrow.

A total of 3 morgues are being built in Sussex, the largest being on the University of Sussex’s campus.

There will also be spaces for two hundred and thirty bodies at Worthing Hospital and two hundred and ninety spaces at St Richard’s Hospital in Chichester.

Dave Miller, chairman of the Sussex Resilience Forum said he understood the announcement would be upsetting for many. He stated: “Whilst the picture for the worst-case scenario changes on a daily basis and will also be determined in part by the success of the lockdown measures in Sussex, we are expecting to deal with a rise in the number of deaths during the peak period that will take us beyond existing resource for this time of year.

“We are therefore putting measures and resources in place urgently to ensure all deaths during this period are dealt with respect and dignity and in accordance with appropriate public health requirements.”

The mortuary at the University will consist of four units and it is being supplied by the Ministry of Housing, communities and local government and will be arriving at Sussex University tomorrow.

More spaces are ready to arrive in Falmer next week, if necessary.

The University of Sussex has published information on how the University is supporting authorities during the coronavirus pandemic.