How many confirmed coronavirus cases are there in Sheffield? All we know about school closures and bin collections

Here’s everything we know so far about the spread of COVID-19 in Sheffield and the effect it’s having within the city.

How many cases have there been in Sheffield and who has died?

As of Thursday, February 19, there had been 40 confirmed cases of coronavirus in Sheffield and one death. Across the UK, 3,269 people had tested positive and 144 people had died.

Leonard Gibson, aged 78, died in the Northern General Hospital on Tuesday morning after being diagnosed with COVID-19 a few days earlier

His heartbroken family paid tribute to the ‘kind, loving, generous, crazy and fun loving’ grandfather-of-four, who lived in Oughtibridge, as they urged people to take the disease more seriously.

What is the latest advice to help stay safe and prevent the virus spreading?

Everybody has been told to take what are known as ‘social distancing measures’, to reduce their social contact and help restrict the spread of the virus.

People who are over 70 and those with underlying health problems, including but not limited to respiratory conditions, heart disease and diabetes, have been told to be ‘particularly stringent’ when it comes to these measures.

Everybody should avoid contact with anyone displaying symptoms of coronavirus, avoid non-essential use of public transport, work from home where possible, avoid large gatherings and gatherings in smaller public spaces such as pubs, cinemas, restaurants, theatres, bars, clubs, and avoid gatherings with friends and family, instead staying in touch by phone or internet.

People have been advised to keep at least two metres apart.

They have also been urged to wash their hands more often, using soap and water for at least 20 seconds, or to use a hand sanitiser where this is not possible.

Everybody should avoid touching their eyes, nose and mouth with unwashed hands and should cover any coughs or sneeze with a tissue, which they should immediately throw into a bin and wash their hands.

What are the symptoms of coronavirus and what should I do if I think I may be infected?

The main symptoms of coronavirus are a high temperature (meaning you feel hot to touch on your chest or back) and a new, continuous cough (coughing a lot for more than an hour, or three or more coughing episodes in 24 hours).

If you have either of these symptoms you should stay at home for seven days if living alone. Where one or more people in a household have symptoms, everyone in that household should stay at home for 14 days from the day those symptoms became apparent.

You should not go to a GP surgery, pharmacy or hospital, but you can use the NHS 111 online coronavirus service to get advice, or call 111 if you cannot get help online.

What is happening with school closures?

Schools across the country are closing, and nurseries have been advised to close too, from Friday, March 20.

Some schools and nurseries are staying open to look after the children of key workers, including health and social care staff and those involved in food production, delivery or sale.

GCSE and A level exams have been cancelled, and it has been suggested that grades could be awarded based on teacher assessment and mock exam results.

Some companies have made teaching and learning materials free for teachers and parents to use, to support learning at home.

Why are some items proving hard to find at supermarkets?

Panic buying has led to shortages of many products on the shelves, from pasta to loo rolls, but the Government insists there is no issue with the supply line and shoppers have been urged to buy only what they need so there is enough for everyone.

Some supermarkets have cut their opening hours to give staff time to clean and restock shelves, due to the unprecedented demand.

Supermarkets have also placed limits on certain items and introduced dedicated times for elderly and vulnerable shoppers, and for NHS workers who are under huge pressure due to the outbreak.

They are also implementing social distancing measures, with green and red markings being introduced at some stores to show customers where to stand to keep a safe distance from staff and other shoppers.

Why are some businesses closing and not others?

The Government has advised premises like pubs, clubs and cinemas to close to restrict the spread of coronavirus but has not made it mandatory.

While Sheffield’s theatres, clubs and cinemas have largely closed, many pubs and some non-food shops have remained open – with some owners accusing the Government of ‘throwing them under the bus’ by not making closure compulsory meaning it is harder to claim on insurance and ensure they can keep paying staff.

Wetherspoons boss Tim Martin has vowed to keep his pubs – including the six he has in Sheffield – open during the coronavirus crisis, claiming a shutdown would be ‘over the top’.

A number of pubs, cafes and restaurants, meanwhile, have started offering takeaways, after the Government relaxed regulations to make this easier.

Government-backed loans worth £330 billion are being made available to support businesses in hospitality, retail and leisure sectors through the coronavirus pandemic, but there remains some confusion among employers about what exactly this will mean for them.

Many popular events have had to be postponed, including the Sheffield Half Marathon and World Snooker Championship, and the football season has been put on hold.

Sports and leisure facilities in the city have also closed.

What about council services, like bin collections?

Sheffield Council leader Julie Dore said the council would keep its vital services running, even if they have to be delivered in different ways, and would continue to prioritise the most vulnerable people in the city.

She assured people that no council tenants would lose their home because they are affected by COVID-19.

Waste and recycling services are currently operating as normal but are expected to be affected due to staff shortages.

If that happens, the council says black bin and clinical waste collections will be prioritised.

What’s happening to public transport?

The Government has advised against all but essential travel, and demand has already drastically reduced, leading to bus and rail servies being scaled back.

How will people pay their mortagages if they’re out of work due to coronavirus?

The Government has introduced changes to sick pay and benefits claims to help those affected by COVID-19.

It also announced that mortgage payers who are facing financial difficulty due to coronavirus will be offered payment holidays of up to three months and that tenants will be protected from eviction during the outbreak.

What is coronavirus and what caused it?

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