Stakeholder briefing statement to download (PDF)
Coronavirus (COVID-19) case confirmed in
Wiltshire
As you may well have already seen, the UK Chief
Medical Officer has today (5 March 2020)
confirmed further cases of COVID-19 infection in
the UK, bringing the total number of cases to 115.
Three of these cases are residents from Wiltshire
who became infected whilst in Northern Italy. The
individual is getting all necessary support from
relevant agencies.
Public Health England, the council and local NHS
colleagues are working closely together to
respond.
Public Health England is currently contacting
people who may have had close contact with the
confirmed case. 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.
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.
There is a lot going on nationally to ensure we are
prepared to manage this risk and locally, we have
tried and tested plans in place which means we
are prepared to deal with a whole range of
issues.
Whilst the confirmation of a case in the county will
undoubtedly increase people’s anxiety, it’s
important to remain calm but vigilant and take
necessary steps.
The best action we can all take is to ensure we
continue to have good personal and hand
hygiene, which includes:
· Giving your hands a good wash with soap and
water is the most effective action you can take
(but hand gels can be a good substitute).
· Maintaining personal hygiene when coughing
or sneezing is also important – use a tissue
rather your hands and then throw it away.
· It is good general practice to use cleaning
wipes to give your keyboard, desk, phone etc.
the once over on a regular basis.
Anyone who is concerned about their 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 advice for anyone who is experiencing a
cough or fever or shortness of breath, is to stay
indoors and call NHS 111, even if symptoms are
mild.
People are asked NOT to turn up at their GP
surgery or other health services (e.g. hospital).
If people have trips planned, they should follow
the Foreign and Commonwealth Office advice.
To stay up to date with the national situation and response and any advice PHE is giving you can visit their website. Alternatively, you can follow the Department for Health and Social Care on Twitter- @DHSCgovuk
I will keep you up to date with local
developments.
Tracy Daszkiewicz
Director of Public Health
Wiltshire Council