Coronavirus case confirmed in Bury

The first case of coronavirus COVID-19 has been confirmed in Greater Manchester, after a Bury resident became infected whilst in Italy.

Dr Will Welfare, Interim Deputy Director Health Protection Public Health England North West, said: “Public Health England is contacting people who had close contact with one of the latest confirmed cases of COVID-19. The case is a resident of Bury and became infected whilst in Italy. They are receiving care at an NHS specialist centre. 

“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.”

Director of Public Health for Bury Council Lesley Jones said: “I’d like to reassure people that the risk to the general public remains low and Bury Council is working with health colleagues to do everything we can to stop the virus spreading and ensure the people of Bury are protected.

“Good hygiene is the best prevention and there are some simple steps you can take to protect you and your family by washing your hands regularly and thoroughly and if you cough, cover your mouth and nose with a tissue.

“If you have recently been to one of the affected countries and are feeling unwell, you should phone the NHS’s 111 helpline for further advice straight away – please don’t go to your doctor. There’s lots of advice on how people can protect themselves online at www.nhs.uk/coronavirus”

Because this strain of coronavirus, novel coronavirus (COVID-19), is a new illness, authorities do not know exactly how it is spread from person to person.

As a group, coronaviruses are common across the world. Typical symptoms of coronavirus include fever and a cough that may progress to a severe pneumonia causing shortness of breath and breathing difficulties.

The main symptoms of novel coronavirus are flu-like symptoms, including a cough, a high temperature and shortness of breath.

No cases have been confirmed as being in the Rochdale area.

Anyone who is suspected to have coronavirus is asked not to go to a GP surgery, pharmacy or hospital but instead call 111, stay indoors and avoid close contact with other people.

As of 1 March at 9am, a total of 11,750 people have been tested in the UK, of which 11,715 were confirmed negative and 35 positive.

People who have been to Wuhan or Hubei province in China in the last 14 days, are asked to call 111, even if they do not have symptoms.

Anyone who has mild symptoms after returning from other parts of China, including Macau and Hong Kong, or to Thailand, Japan, Taiwan, Singapore, the Republic of Korea or Malaysia, is also expected to call 111.

The same advice has also been issued for people who have been in close contact with someone who has been confirmed to have coronavirus.

The Foreign & Commonwealth Office is currently advising against all travel to Hubei Province, and against all but essential travel to the rest of mainland China.

FCO is also advising against all but essential travel to:

• the cities of Daegu and Cheongdo in South Korea
• ten small towns in the Lombardy region and one in the Veneto region of Italy

Travel Insurance Q&A

• Anyone travelling to a country or region against government advice risks invalidating their travel insurance.
• If you make alternative travel plans, then you may be able to transfer your travel insurance to cover your new destination.
• If you took out your business or personal travel insurance policy before the Coronavirus outbreak and the FCO now advises against travel to your destination, then the cancellation should be covered by your travel policy.
• If you plan a trip now to a country where it has been publicised that there is an outbreak, it is unlikely to be covered by insurance.
• If you have made the choice not to travel but the FCO hasn't given advice not to travel to your destination, this will not be covered.

For more information, visit: www.gov.uk/coronavirus

For more travel advice, please visit: www.abi.org.uk/products-and-issues/topics-and-issues/coronavirus-qa/