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The first case of coronavirus has been confirmed in Sunderland, bringing the total number of cases in the North East to six.

It was revealed on Monday that a Sunderland resident has tested positive for COVID-19 and they are now being treated at South Tyneside District Hospital in South Shields.

It is the first case on Wearside, after four people in Newcastle and one in North Tyneside were confirmed to have the virus.

Gillian Gibson, director of Public Health at Sunderland City Council said: "The first case of a resident with COVID-19 has been confirmed in Sunderland.

"The resident affected is receiving care at South Tyneside District Hospital and our best wishes are with the individual and their family.





"The health and wellbeing of our residents is our top priority and we are continuing to take our lead from Public Health England and to work closely with them and with other partners to monitor developments, communicate the latest guidance and prevent the virus from spreading.



"Sunderland has robust infection control plans in place and we are taking all the precautionary actions necessary to support and protect our communities in line with the Government’s published action plan.



"While we still have a lot to learn about the virus, the advice from the UK Government’s chief scientific adviser is that for the vast majority of people who catch COVID-19, it will be a mild illness.

"The best way anyone can protect themselves and others from the virus is to wash their hands thoroughly and often with soap and water, or use a hand sanitiser, and to cough or sneeze into a tissue, bin it and wash their hands."

Dr Paul McAndrew, deputy medical director at South Tyneside and Sunderland NHS Foundation Trust said: " We can confirm that we are currently caring for a patient who has tested positive for the COVID-19 infection. They are being very safely cared for by our highly skilled team at South Tyneside District Hospital and all of the appropriate protection measures are in place.

"It is very much business as usual across the Trust."

As of 9am on Monday, 24,960 people have been tested in the UK – with 319 confirmed as positive. Five patients who tested positive for COVID-19 have since died.

Anyone who thinks they have symptoms should contact the NHS 111 online Coronavirus service: https://111.nhs.uk/covid-19 or call NHS 111 rather than visiting their GP, hospital or pharmacy.



You can also stay up to date with the latest official advice and information by visiting: www.nhs.uk/coronavirus .