Story By: Alex Cope, Sub Editor: Joseph Golder, Agency: Asia Wire Report

These images show nurses in Wuhan cutting off their long hair to save time when putting on protective suits to treat coronavirus patients.

Reports state 31 nurses working at the Western Hospital of Wuhan Union Medical College in the city of Wuhan in the Chinese province of Hubei have cut off their long hair to save time when putting on their protective gear and to prevent the spread of the disease.

Images show the nurses chopping off their locks and one head nurse, who was not named, told reporters: “We cut off our hair so that it makes it easier for us to put on our protective gear and take care of our patients. We do not have time to bathe and wash our hair every day.”

Local media report having short hair will also help the nurses avoid cross-contamination.

The hospital is reportedly prepared for the virus with over 700 beds waiting for potential patients and almost 1,000 staff.

The images come after nurse Shan Xia, 30, who works at the Renmin Hospital in the city, shaved off her long hair for the same reason.

Specialists have also been sent to other Chinese provinces to help prevent the spread of the disease and there have been 9,818 confirmed cases of the virus as of today (Friday) and 213 deaths in mainland China.

Wuhan which is the centre is currently under lockdown to prevent the further spread of the deadly virus.

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