Coronavirus mapped: Sheffield has third highest number of confirmed cases in England

Public Health England data, released yesterday, reveals that out of all the ‘upper tier local authorities and NHS regions’ Sheffield has the third number of confirmed cases.

As of yesterday, the city had 387 cases and was ranked below only Birmingham, which had 513 and Hampshire, which had 432.

Across the UK, 19,522 cases have been confirmed and there have been 1,228 deaths, including 13 in Sheffield.

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Yesterday the number of confirmed cases went up by 2,433 and there were 209 more deaths than the previous day.

The Director of Public Health in Sheffield, Greg Fell, has previously explained why the city has more confirmed cases of coronavirus than other areas of a similar size.

He said he understood the figures would be ‘worrying’ but stressed that the data ‘is simply a reflection that there is more testing happening here currently than in some other areas and so by default we know about more positive cases’.

“This doesn’t necessarily mean that there's more chance of being infected here than other parts of Yorkshire,” he added.

Elsewhere in South Yorkshire, there are 70 confirmed cases in Barnsley, 60 in Rotherham and 44 in Doncaster.

Across Yorkshire, 113 cases have been confirmed in Leeds and another 21 in York.

More figures are set to be announced by Public Health England this afternoon ahead of the daily press conference from Downing Street.

Coronavirus: the facts

What is coronavirus?

COVID-19 is a respiratory illness that can affect lungs and airways. It is caused by a virus called coronavirus.

What caused coronavirus?

The outbreak started in Wuhan in China in December 2019 and it is thought that the virus, like others of its kind, has come from animals.

How is it spread?

As this is such a new illness, experts still aren’t sure how it is spread. But.similar viruses are spread in cough droplets. Therefore covering your nose and mouth when sneezing and coughing, and disposing of used tissues straight away is advised. Viruses like coronavirus cannot live outside the body for very long.

What are the symptoms?

The NHS states that the symptoms are: a dry cough, high temperature and shortness of breath - but these symptoms do not necessarily mean you have the illness. Look out for flu-like symptoms, such as aches and pains, nasal congestion, runny nose and a sore throat. It’s important to remember that some people may become infected but won’t develop any symptoms or feel unwell.

What precautions can be taken?

Washing your hands with soap and water thoroughly. The NHS also advises to 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 and try to avoid close contact with people who are unwell. Also avoiding touching eyes, nose and mouth unless your hands are clean.

Should I avoid public places?

The advice now is to avoid public places and any non-essential travel. Travel abroad is also being advised against for the next 30 days at least, and many European countries have closed their borders.

What should I do if I feel unwell?

Don’t go to your GP but instead call NHS 111 or look online at the coronavirus service that can tell you if you need medical help and what to do next.

When to call NHS 111

NHS 111 should be used if you feel unwell with coronavirus symptoms, have been in a country with a high risk of coronavirus in the last 14 days or if you have been in close contact with someone with the virus.

Sources: World Health Organisation and NHS