CITY’S FIRST CASE OF CORONAVIRUS CONFIRMED
Adult tested positive being cared for at South Tyneside Hospital
One person has tested positive for coronavirus in Sunderland making it the first case of the illness in the city.
One adult has tested positive for Covid-19 in Sunderland, Public Health England have confirmed.
It is the first case of coronavirus in Sunderland, which comes after four people have been diagnosed with the condition in Newcastle and one person was diagnosed in North Tyneside.
This brings the number of coronavirus cases in the North East to six.
There have so far been no confirmed cases in other areas in the North East – County Durham, Gateshead, South Tyneside, Northumberland or Hartlepool.
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 well-being 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.
“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.
“We would urge everyone to stay up to date with the latest official advice and information by visiting: www.nhs. uk/coronavirus”
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.
“As always, our prime concern is to respect patient confidentiality at all times and we would ask the media to do the same.
“It is very much business as usual across the Trust.”
Typical symptoms of coronavirus include fever and a cough that may progress to a severe pneumonia causing shortness of breath and breathing difficulties.
Anyone who believes they have symptoms is urged to use the 111 online coronavirus service to find out what to do next, but should not visit a GP surgery, pharmacy or hospital.