Watford General Hospital has had its first confirmed case of Coronavirus after a ward was reportedly evacuated last night (5 March).
NHS Trust said: “It has been confirmed that a positive case of COVID-19 (Coronavirus) has been identified on one of our inpatient wards at Watford General Hospital.
“As a result, all of the patients who were on the same ward have been moved and a deep clean, which will be carried out in line with strict guidance from Public Health England, is being carried out.
“An extensive ‘contact tracing’ exercise is now underway to trace anyone who might have had close (face to face) contact with the patient who has now tested positive for COVID-19.”
The trust continued in a statement: “Close contacts to the patient concerned 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.
“This tried and tested method will ensure that any risk to them is minimised and the wider public is protected.
“Based on current evidence, COVID-19 presents with flu-like symptoms including a fever, a cough, or difficulty breathing.”
In addition, a Hare Krishna Temple in Watford has closed. A statement on the Bhaktivedanta Manor website said: “In the interest of the health of all devotees and visitors as a precautionary measure the temple is now closed to the public. It will remain closed until further notice. All planned events (Sri Krishna Haveli opening, Gaura Purnima festivities etc) at the temple from today (6.3.20) until Monday (9.3.20) have been cancelled.
The Dept for Health today confirmed that there were 163 confirmed cases of Covid-19 in the UK. Two people have sadly died due to the illness.
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