New cases of coronavirus confirmed in Hertfordshire

The East and North Hertfordshire NHS Trust confirmed a clinician from Mount Vernon Cancer Centre, near Watford, is one of the 12 new cases of Covid-19 announced on the weekend.

Public Health England East and Hertfordshire County Council confirmed the latest cases in a joint statement released yesterday (Sunday, March 1).

On Saturday the UK’s first case of coronavirus , two more patients have tested positive for COVID-19.

Dr David Edwards, consultant in health protection for Public Health England East, said: “Public Health England is contacting people who had close contact with three confirmed cases of COVID-19 that are residents of Hertfordshire.

“We’re working closely with NHS colleagues in that area as well as Hertfordshire County Council to manage the situation and help reduce the risk of further cases.

“Close contacts will be given health advice about symptoms and emergency contact details to use if they become unwell in the 14 days after contact with the confirmed case.

“This tried and tested method will ensure we are able to minimise any risk to them and the wider public.”

No locations of where in the county the patients are from have officially been revealed yet by the authorities.

He added: “Older residents or those with weakened immune systems or long-term conditions may experience more severe symptoms, which is why it is important to help protect ourselves and each other.

“Following Government guidance to take basic hygiene precautions remains the best way of significantly reducing the chances of spreading any virus: sneeze or cough into a tissue, bin it, wash your hands frequently and don’t touch your face unless you’ve just washed your hands.

“We should do this all day every day as we should for flu.

“Good regular cleaning with normal detergent of surfaces people touch regularly or may cough onto, like door handles and lift buttons, is also sensible.”

Today Boris Johnson will be holding a COBR meeting.  He says the disease is a ‘significant challenge to UK’

COBR will discuss, finalise and sign off a battle plan containing a detailed set of countermeasures. Boris says

• “The number of coronavirus cases around the world is rising every day – and the UK is no exception.
• “There now seems little doubt that it will present a significant challenge for our country.
• “But we are well prepared, and the government and the NHS will stop at nothing to fight this virus.
• “This battle plan lays out in detail the measures we could use – if and when they are needed.”

People should log onto https://gov.uk/coronavirus for the latest advice and information.