Public Health England and Dorset and BCP Councils have confirmed that a resident in the Dorset Council area has tested positive for coronavirus (COVID-19).
This is the first time that the virus has been officially acknowledged to be in the Dorset Council area, that includes Swanage.
This comes as events and meetings are being cancelled across Swanage and Purbeck in response to the risk of contracting coronavirus. It’s expected to be announced on Monday 16th March 2020 that the 75th Anniversary of V.E Day street party in Swanage will be postponed or cancelled.
Last week, in the other half of Dorset, within the Bournemouth, Christchurch and Poole (BCP) council area, three people were confirmed to have tested positive.
Following up the case
Public Health England is now following up the case by tracing and advising people who have been in contact with the patient.
Rachel Partridge Assistant Director of Public Health for Dorset and BCP Councils said:
“I’d like to reassure people that the risk to the general public remains low and we are working with health colleagues to do everything we can to stop the virus spreading and ensure the people of Dorset are protected.”
Rachel Partridge, Assistant Director for Public Health Dorset and BCP Councils
Coronavirus advice from Public Health Dorset
The most important thing individuals can do to protect themselves remains washing their hands more often, for at least 20 seconds, with soap and water. Make sure you cough or sneeze into a tissue, put it in a bin and wash your hands.
Anyone who shows certain symptoms is advised to self-isolate for 7 days, regardless of whether they have travelled to affected areas. People with symptoms should stay at home and avoid all but essential contact with others for 7 days from the point of displaying mild symptoms, to slow the spread of infection.
The symptoms are:
- A high temperature
- A new, continuous cough
You do not need to call NHS 111 to go into self-isolation. If your symptoms worsen during home isolation or are no better after seven days contact NHS 111 online at 111.nhs.uk. If you have no internet access, you should call NHS 111. For a medical emergency dial 999.
