Dear Residents,
Please see the latest update below on Coronavirus from Public Health England.
Best Wishes
Iain Gartside, Yvonne Wright and Greg Keeley
Councillors for Tottington, Walshaw and Affetside
” The UK Chief Medical Officer has confirmed that as of 3 March 2020, a total of 13,911 people in the UK have been tested, 13,860 were negative, and 51 positive.
Three of these new cases are from Greater Manchester. Two of the cases are residents of Bury. As a result of contact tracing we know the new Bury cases announced today are known contacts of the previously confirmed case from Bury.
The third case is a resident of Bolton which is not linked to the two cases in Bury announced today.
Public Health England (PHE), Bury Council and the local NHS are working closely together to respond.
Public Health England is currently contacting people who may have had close contact with the confirmed 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 they had contact with the confirmed case. This tried and tested method will ensure that any risk to them is minimised and the wider public is protected.
We will not be commenting further on the details of these cases due to the need to protect patient confidentiality.
PHE and the NHS are well-prepared to deal with coronavirus and the priority is to safeguard local communities which sometimes involves taking preventative measures to help reduce the risk of further cases.
The UK is well prepared for these types of incidents and there is rapid and effective testing undertaken by PHE for this virus. The NHS has expert teams of highly-trained staff and specialist hospital units around the country ready to receive and care for any patients with any highly infectious disease. The NHS adheres to the highest safety standards for the protection of its staff, patients and the public.
Based on current evidence, Coronavirus COVID-19 presents with flu-like symptoms 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:
https://www.gov.uk/guidance/wuhan-novel-coronavirus-information-for-the-public
The multi-agency response team will update this briefing for partners as more information becomes available.”
