The UK Chief Medical Officer has confirmed an Oldham resident is among 32 further patients who have tested positive for Coronavirus COVID-19 infection, bringing the total number of cases in the country to 85.
The resident of Oldham became infected while in Northern Italy but authorities are unable to comment further on this particular case due to the need to protect patient confidentiality.
Public Health England (PHE), Oldham Council and the local NHS are working closely together to effectively manage this case.
PHE is currently contacting people who may have had close contact with the confirmed case.
Close contacts will be given health advice about symptoms and emergency contact details to use if they become unwell in the 14 days after they had contact with the confirmed case.
Following the confirmation of the case in Oldham, Saddleworth Medical Practice sent out an update to patients via text message.
It advised: “Do not book a GP appointment if you think you might have coronavirus. Stay at home and avoid close contact with other people.
“Use the 111 coronavirus service to see if you need medical help. Find out more at nhs.uk/coronavirus”
Based on current evidence, Coronavirus COVID-19 presents with flu-like symptoms including a fever, a cough, or difficulty breathing. The current evidence is that most cases appear to be mild.
Oldham has robust infection control arrangements in place and strong partnership arrangements across the health and care system. All partners are working closely together to prevent further spread of the virus.
Anyone who is concerned about health symptoms is advised to follow the advice about what to do: https://www.gov.uk/guidance/wuhan-novel-coronavirus-information-for-the-public
Saddleworth Medical Practice have most certainly not sent any such message to any of my family.
Th meas you havn’t been in contact with anyone eg doc tors or nurses etc, so don’t worry.
I actually worried about getting it myself and my husband because he works for royal mail
It doesn’t survive long on objects, only for a few hours. Don’t be worried 🙂
Royton health centre in Oldham sent out an update to patients via text message on Tuesday.
Shouldn’t we know which part of Oldham they discovered the Corona virus so we can stay away from that part of the Borough.
It says, Saddleworth
I think we have totally underestimated this virus
The public must be made aware immediately of any cases & the exact locations.
Ignorance costs lives.
While I agree that no-one wants to catch a virus from being coughed and sneezed over, this particular strain of corona virus is no more dangerous than a heavy cold or a touch of flu. If you are old and/or have underlying health problems such as COPD, then it is certainly dangerous to you. So is regular old flu. It kills hundreds of people in this country every year.
Taking precautions such as regular hand washing should be everyone’s normal practice. Coughing or sneezing into a tissue – or at the very least into the crook of your elbow – should be everyone’s normal practice. Not sitting next to a person who is obviously surrounded by a cloud of saliva and snotty droplets should be common sense to everyone all the time.
In other words, it is not a cause for general panic and hysteria. Just be sensible. Always.
Yes, but we can, and do, get a vaccination for ‘regular old flu’. And BTW, anyone who says they’ve had a ‘touch of flu’ has no idea what they’re talking about.