Coronavirus: Second case confirmed in Shropshire

A second case of coronavirus has been confirmed in Shropshire.

Katie Spence, Deputy Director, Health Protection, Public Health England, West Midlands, said: “Public Health England is contacting people who had close contact with the latest confirmed cases of COVID-19. The case is a resident within Shropshire Council local authority area who became infected whilst travelling in Italy. 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.

“We will not be commenting further on the details of this particular case due to need to protect patient confidentiality.”

Rachel Robinson, Shropshire Council’s director of public health, said: “We can confirm a second case of confirmed COVID-19 within Shropshire Council local authority area. This is not linked to the first case we confirmed yesterday (Tues 10 March 2020).  As with the first case, this is a case in an adult who had returned from an infected area.

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

“Public Health England (PHE) are identifying and speaking to those who have been in close contact with the individual, and will follow up with any appropriate action. If you have not been contacted by Public Health England as a close contact of either of the two confirmed cases, you do not need to take any further action at this time.

“We have been working, and continue to work, closely with our PHE and NHS partners to do everything we can to help prevent the spread of the virus. However, as we continue to contact trace, we anticipate there may be a further increase in the number of cases. 

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

Shropshire Council has been working closely with Telford and Wrekin Council, Public Health England, NHS England and local health and care partners, to prepare and respond to COVID-19 (coronavirus).

All partners continue to work together to co-ordinate appropriate action and resources to protect the public’s health. Partners and services are working closely to support each other to ensure organisations have the capacity to respond to COVID-19 whilst still being able to provide essential everyday services. This includes the setting up of Shropshire Local Health Resilience Partnership to co-ordinate plans and prepare for any changes in the situation, should they arise. All partners keep in regular contact and take part in daily and weekly update meetings with both local, regional and national colleagues.

Work currently being undertaken:

• • Promoting national guidance and key messages to the public, staff and organisations, including schools and businesses.
  • Advising anyone who believes they may have coronavirus to call NHS 111 or use the NHS 111 online services.
  • Shropshire Community NHS Trust is carrying out home and community testing and is setting up ‘drive-through’ testing centres across Shropshire, Telford and Wrekin.

* The LHRP includes representatives from: Shropshire Council, Telford & Wrekin Council, NHS England and Improvement, Emergency Preparedness Resilience and Response (EPRR) leads, Shrewsbury and Telford Hospital NHS Trust, Shropshire Community Health Trust, Robert Jones and Agnes Hunt Foundation Trust, Shropshire Clinical Commissioning Group, Telford and Wrekin Clinical Commissioning Group, Local Medical Committee and Public Health England.