First person in Essex tested positive for Coronavirus

Three positive cases in the neighbouring county of Hertfordshire and the first British person who had died after contracting the virus was also confirmed over the weekend.

The virus, which presents flu-like symptoms, has seen more than 80,000 cases worldwide, with the majority in the Hubei province in Wuhan, China.

At around 1.38pm yesterday, (Sunday, March 1), Professor Chris Whitty, the UK chief medical officer, announced the news.

He said: "As of 9am, 12 further patients in England have tested positive for COVID-19.

"Three patients were close contacts of a known case, transmitted in the UK, identified as part of contact tracing.

"One patient, resident in Essex, had no relevant travel and it is not yet clear whether they contracted it directly of indirectly from an individual who had recently returned from abroad; investigations are ongoing.

"Of the remaining eight cases, six had recently travelled are from London, West Yorkshire, Greater Manchester, Hertfordshire and Gloucestershire.

"All are being investigated and contact tracing has begun."

Anyone who believes they have symptoms of COVID-19 should call the NHS on 111

Based on current evidence, Coronavirus/ COVID-19 presents with flu-like pneumonia symptoms that affects the lungs and airways, including a fever, a cough, or difficulty breathing.

The current evidence is that most cases appear to be mild.

Anyone who is concerned about health symptoms is advised to follow the advice about what to do on the Government’s website at PHE website.

Dr David Edwards, consultant in health protection, Public Health England East, said: “Public Health England is contacting people who had close contact with a confirmed case of COVID-19 who is an Essex resident.

“We’re working closely with local NHS colleagues as well as Essex 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.”

Essex County Council’s director of wellbeing, public health and communities, Mike Gogarty said: “This new cases of coronavirus is nothing unexpected. We fully anticipate an increase in numbers which is why our services have planned for, and are ready, for this situation.

“I’d like to reassure people that the risk to the general public remains low and Essex County Council is working with health colleagues to do everything we can to stop the virus spreading and ensure the people of Essex are protected.

“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.

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

Essex County Council is working with health colleagues to prevent further spread of COVID-19

Shadow Health Secretary Jonathon Ashworth says he would support shutting down cities to control the spread of coronavirus.

Speaking on BBC Breakfast on Monday, Mr Ashworth said he wanted clarity from the Government about its next steps to contain the Covid-19 virus.

He said: "If the medical advice and the scientific advice is to take measures along those lines, of course we would support them.

He continued: "It would be a move by Government so drastic that we hadn't seen it. And I'm not sure how practical it could be in reality.

"However this virus is serious and appears to spread very easily and we need to contain it and slow down the spread.

"If the medical advice is to do something like that then of course we should support it.

"That is why I am keen, however, that Matt Hancock, the Health Secretary, comes to the House of Commons today after the Cobra meeting to update MPs on plans.

Professor Paul Cosford, emeritus medical director of PHE, said more cases could be challenging for the UK and it was important to reduce the spread of infection.

Interviewed on Radio 4's Today programme, he said it was increasingly likely there would be more widespread transmission.

Also speaking on ITV's Good Morning Britain, Prof Cosford said: "The extent of infection we are seeing in other countries suggests it is likely that we will see more widespread infection in the UK and that is what we have to be prepared for.

"We should expect at times that might be quite challenging for us, it is therefore very important that we do everything we can to reduce the spread of infection.

"At the moment, the vast majority of cases we see in the UK are still linked to countries where there is more widespread infection, either in Italy or South East Asia.”

The Prime Minister is to chair an emergency Cobra meeting on coronavirus today.

Boris Johnson is expected to warn ministers that Covid-19 will present a "significant challenge" to the country as he finalises a new battle plan by the Government.

Mr Johnson, who has faced criticism for waiting until Monday to chair a meeting on the deadly virus, is due to lay out contingency plans which could include banning public gatherings.

Prime Minister Boris Johnson

"The number of coronavirus cases around the world is rising every day - and the UK is no exception," he is set to tell the meeting.

"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."

Anyone who believes they are displaying symptoms relating to coronavirus should monitor their symptoms and call NHS on 111.