Coronavirus update - Monday 10 February
The information in this news story was correct at the time of publishing. Find the latest updates on Coronavirus (COVID-19).
Update added: Monday 10 February (3.15pm)
The latest information from Public Health England is available at www.gov.uk/coronavirus
It has been confirmed by the Chief Medical Officer for England that four further patients have tested positive for novel coronavirus, bringing the total number of cases in the UK to eight.
This means that five out of the eight current confirmed cases in the UK were reported in Brighton & Hove. All the Brighton & Hove cases are adults.
The new cases are known contacts of a previously confirmed UK case. The virus was passed on in France.
The latest patients from our city have been transferred to specialist NHS centres, and healthcare workers are using robust infection control measures to prevent any possible further spread of the virus.
The local NHS and Brighton & Hove City Council are working closely with Public Health England (PHE) to respond to the situation.
Public Health England is speaking to people who have had close and sustained contact with the new confirmed cases. Their priority is speaking to those people who have had close and sustained contact with confirmed cases so that they can advise them on what they can do to limit the spread of the virus.
If you have not been contacted by PHE as a close contact, you do not need to take any action at this time.
Those who have been told to 'self-isolate' are being asked to take sensible precautions, such as staying at home and not going to work or college. This is the same common sense as avoiding people if they are suffering from a heavy cold or the winter flu.
During this time, the patients will be supported and monitored by PHE.
Everyone should follow the advice issued by PHE in relation to returning travellers.
If you do feel unwell having travelled to the UK from mainland China, Thailand, Japan, Republic of Korea, Hong Kong, Taiwan, Singapore, Malaysia or Macau in the last 14 days, then you should stay indoors and call NHS 111, even if symptoms are mild.
If you have travelled from Wuhan or Hubei province in the last 14 days then you should stay indoors and avoid contact with others as you would with flu, and call NHS 111 informing them of your symptoms and inform them of your recent travel to the city.
Everyone is being reminded to follow Public Health England advice to:
- Always carry tissues with you and use them to catch your cough or sneeze. Then bin the tissue, and wash your hands with soap and water
- Wash your hands often with soap and water, especially after using public transport.
- Avoid touching your eyes, nose and mouth with unwashed hands.
- Avoid close contact with people who are unwell.
You can find the latest information and advice from Public Health England at www.gov.uk/coronavirus
