‘Isolation hotels’ used to contain diphtheria cases

Asylum seekers showing diphtheria symptoms will be held in “secure isolation hotels” similar to those used during the pandemic. The immigration minister, Robert Jenrick, said anyone displaying signs of the highly contagious disease would not be allowed to leave Manston processing centre in Kent except to be moved to a designated isolation centre. The development comes after a report by the UK Health Security Agency (UKHSA) confirmed the Guardian’s disclosure of there being 50 identified cases of diphtheria linked to Manston as of 25 November.

The home secretary, Suella Braverman, has been criticised for overcrowding leading to outbreaks of disease at Manston, and the Home Office said a man held there may have died from a diphtheria infection. The latest UKHSA report said 38 of the cases had been reported in the southeast. No breakdown by county has been provided.