As the Swanage community prepares to face the challenge of coronavirus, a second case has been confirmed in the Dorset Council area. The new announcement from Public Health England means that the total of confirmed cases across Dorset is now seven, including the five confirmed in the Bournemouth, Christchurch and Poole Council (BCP) area.
Dorset County Hospital in Dorchester
The latest patient who has tested positive for coronavirus is now being treated in isolation at Dorset County Hospital in Dorchester.
A spokesperson from Public Health Dorset said:
“There is no risk to other patients, visitors and staff and our services are running as normal. The NHS and Public Health England are well prepared for outbreaks of new infectious diseases.
“The Dorset County Hospital has put measures in place to ensure the safety of patients and NHS staff, while also ensuring services continue to be available to the public.”
While there are only two confirmed cases in the Dorset Council area, that includes Swanage, it is widely acknowledged that the number of people who have already contracted the virus is much higher, but they haven’t been tested, so don’t appear in the official figures.
On Monday 16th March 2020, according to government figures, more than 1,500 people had tested positive for the virus in the UK – but the actual number of cases was estimated to be between 35,000 and 50,000.
Latest advice from Public Health England released on Monday 16th March 2020
Everyone should:
- Wash hands more often
- Household isolate for 14 days if one member of your family or household has a new continuous cough or high temperature
- Self-isolate for seven days if you live alone and you have a new continuous cough or high temperature
For everyone the following is advised and for those 70 years and over, those with an underlying health condition and pregnant women, the following is strongly advised:
- Do not socially mix in the community, for example, go to the cinema, theatre, pubs, bars, restaurants and clubs
- Do not have friends and family to the house
- Do remotely access NHS and essential services, for example use the telephone or internet
- Do vary daily commute and use less public transport
- Do work from home
For those with serious underlying health conditions, all the above is strongly advised but further individual guidance will be provided by your GP next week (week beginning Monday 23rd March 2020).
