Coronavirus - Latest UK and Midlands figures and advice on what to do - The Bromsgrove Standard

Coronavirus - Latest UK and Midlands figures and advice on what to do

Bromsgrove Editorial 11th Mar, 2020 Updated: 11th Mar, 2020   0

THE GOVERNMENT’S Coronovirus update yesterday revealed there were 373 people who had tested positive in the UK and six people had died.

Overall 26.261 had been assessed, meaning 25,888 of the tests were negative.

Yesterday the Department of Health and Social Care gave a breakdown of all the regions and how many positive diagnoses were in each area.

The south seems the hardest hit so far with the top five places being Hertfordshire (16), Kensington and Chelsea (13), Devon (13), Hampshire (10) and Brighton and Hove (8).




The highest areas of the Midlands are in the East with Northamptonshire and Nottinghamshire both having five cases each.

There are four in Derby and Warwickshire and three in Coventry, Gloucestershire and Wolverhampton, two in Leicestershire and one in Herefordshire.


Birmingham had its first case last week but, as of yesterday, was the only case.

As of yesterday there were no cases so far in Worcestershire.

The daily tallies of confirmed cases was 46 on Friday and Saturday, 65 on Sunday, 50 on Monday and 52 yesterday.

Infected patients are being told to self-isolate for 14 days.

The symptoms of COVID-19 include cough, fever, shortness of breath, or flu-like symptoms.

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

The patients who have died have been elderly and many had underlying health problems or other conditions – NHS England says most people will make a full recovery with the virus’ mortality rate being estimated at one per cent of those who contract it.

There are things people can do to help stop germs like coronavirus spreading – these include washing their hands regularly (for 20 seconds or two verses of Happy Birthday) and carrying tissues to catch coughs and sneezes.

People should wash their hands, according to the latest advice, when they get home or into work, blow their nose, sneeze or cough and eat or handle food.

People should avoid touching their eyes, nose and mouth with unwashed hands and avoid contact with people who are unwell.

The Government says the approach to the virus is in the ‘contain’ phase which means there is currently no need to close schools or prevent public gatherings.

But it said earlier this week with the number of cases expected to rise in the coming ten to 14 days, it could move to its ‘delay’ stage at which point different advice will be issued and some of those measures could be put in place.

Coronavirus has not yet reached its peak and, to prevent strain on the NHS, the Government’s approach is aimed at delaying that as long as possible.

Further advice has been issued in the ‘What you need to know’ section of the Government’s website.

Click here for more.

 

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