Latest Gloucestershire news to your inbox Join us here Thank you for subscribing See our privacy notice Invalid Email

Coronavirus has hit Gloucestershire with the government confirming someone has tested positive for the virus in the county.

An update from the government’s chief medical officer has confirmed three new cases, with one of them from Gloucestershire.

It is no known which area of the county the case is from. There are further cases from Hertfordshire and Berkshire, totalling 23 cases in the UK to date.

Two patients recently returned from Italy and the other patient recently returned from Asia.

Contact tracing is now underway to find anyone that those that have tested positive may have had contact with. This is to help control the spread and make contact with anyone potentially infected as soon as possible.

Professor Chris Whitty, chief medical officer for England, said: “As of 9am this morning, three further patients in England have tested positive for COVID-19.

“Two patients recently returned from Italy and the other patient recently returned from Asia. All three are being investigated and contact tracing has begun.

“One case is from Gloucestershire, one from Hertfordshire and one from Berkshire.”

There have been 10,483 tests for Coronovirus completed in the UK with 10,460 negative and 23 positive.

The Department of Health and Social Care will update figures with news cases at 2pm each day.

On Twitter, they posted: "We continue to test a significant number of people. Due to this, and until further notice, the figures tweeted at 2pm will be confirmed numbers as of 9am that same day.

"This change is to make sure we provide you with accurate information, without further delays."

What the NHS says about Coronavirus

What's the risk of coronavirus in the UK?

The UK Chief Medical Officers have raised the risk to the public from low to moderate.

Health professionals are working to contact anyone who has been in close contact with people who have coronavirus.

What's the risk of coronavirus for travellers?

There are some countries and areas where there's a higher chance of coming into contact with someone with coronavirus.

Symptoms of coronavirus

The symptoms of coronavirus are:

a cough

a high temperature

shortness of breath

But these symptoms do not necessarily mean you have the illness.

The symptoms are similar to other illnesses that are much more common, such as cold and flu.

How coronavirus is spread

Because it's a new illness, we do not know exactly how coronavirus spreads from person to person.

Similar viruses are spread in cough droplets.

It's very unlikely it can be spread through things like packages or food. Viruses like coronavirus cannot live outside the body for very long.

Do I need to avoid public places?

Most people can continue to go to work, school and other public places.

You only need to stay away from public places (self-isolate) if advised to by the 111 online coronavirus service or a medical professional.

How to avoid catching or spreading germs

There are things you can do to help stop viruses like coronavirus spreading.

Do

cover your mouth and nose with a tissue or your sleeve (not your hands) when you cough or sneeze

put used tissues in the bin immediately

wash your hands with soap and water often – use hand sanitiser gel if soap and water are not available

try to avoid close contact with people who are unwell

Don't

do not touch your eyes, nose or mouth if your hands are not clean

Check if you need medical help

NHS 111 has an online coronavirus service that can tell you if you need medical help and advise you what to do.

Use this service if: