Woman who took ‘Covid-19 hoax’ photos banned from all hospitals

Hannah Dean has claimed to be a “registered journalist” and posted images of hospitals, including Southampton General, across Facebook.

But the claims have been branded “untrue and highly disrespectful” amid the ongoing pandemic.

The city's hospital trust stressed that pictures of empty corridors do not mean wards and intensive care units are empty.

Dean, from Fareham, was warned by police on Sunday not to attend any hospital unless she has a prior appointment, is a dependent or there is a medical emergency.

She was also told to not encourage, endorse or incite another person to breach Covid-19 restrictions.

But the 30-year-old turned up at St Richard’s Hospital in Chichester on the same day as being issued with the Community Protection Warning (CPW), Sussex Police said.

On Monday she was issued with a Community Protection Notice (CPN) by Hampshire Police.

Under the terms of the notice, Dean must not attend a hospital site “unless there is a legitimate reason or prior appointment”.

Breaching a CPN is an offence and could lead to her being brought to court and charged.

Chief Inspector Jon Carter said: “There are a variety of tactics of dealing with this kind of unacceptable behaviour. We are working together with Hampshire Constabulary to ensure the best avenues to deter this behaviour from continuing are taken.”

Police previously said that Dean’s claims about hospitals had been causing “angst in the community”.

Hannah Dean

As reported, a spokesperson for Southampton General Hospital condemned the posts.

They said: “University Hospital Southampton has been made aware of a post circulating on social media claiming to show the hospital is not under pressure.

“This could not be further from the truth.

“Sharing this sort of misinformation causes an incredible amount of upset and distress to our staff who are working tirelessly to care for those who are being admitted in significant numbers each day.”

As well as Southampton, Dean also took pictures of corridors at the Queen Alexandra Hospital in Portsmouth, the Princess Royal University hospital near Bromley, Kent, and St Richard’s Hospital in Chichester, West Sussex.

Alongside pictures said to be taken at the Portsmouth hospital, she wrote: “Hospital is the quietest I have ever seen it! I walked all over the hospital, including A&E!

“I know this is hard to get our heads around, but the government are lying to us! And the reason why they’re lying to us … is very disturbing!”