How Sheffield coronavirus patient will be treated as first Covid-19 case confirmed

They will be given health advice about symptoms and emergency contact details to use if they become unwell in the 14 days after their last contact with the Sheffield resident diagnosed with COVID-19.

Helen McAuslane, Consultant in Health Protection at Public Health England Yorkshire and Humber, said: “Public Health England is contacting people who had close contact.

“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.”

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Public Health England said that anyone with coronavirus is treated in isolation so as to not put others at risk.

There is then a careful investigation into who they had close contact with through contact tracing.

A spokesperson said: “If a person tests positive for coronavirus, we speak to the patient to identify anyone who has who has had close contact with them during the time they are considered to be infectious and go all out to find these people as soon as possible.

“Once we have contacted them we can then give them the advice they need. If they are in groups considered to be a higher risk, we make sure that we follow up with them daily to see how they are. If they become unwell we are then able to assess them quickly and take appropriate action.

Greg Fell, Director for Public Health Sheffield said the risk to other residents and visitors to the city is ‘low’.

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Anyone who thinks they may have coronavirus and calls NHS 111 is now be given an appointment to be seen at a testing pod just off the Sheffield Parkway if they need to be screened.

They will be asked to drive there and remain in their car whilst trained staff in protective suits and masks take nose and throat swabs.

Patients will than be asked to drive home, stay in isolation and await the test results.