Plymouth City Council can confirm that a Plymouth resident has tested positive for coronavirus (COVID-19). Public Health England is following up the case according to national guidance and protocol.
Dr Ruth Harrell, Director of Public Health for Plymouth, said: “As indicated by the move to the Delay phase announced yesterday, we expect to see an increase in cases across the country, and that includes Plymouth. I’d like to reassure people that the City Council is working with partners following national guidance to limit the spread and impact of this virus.”
The current advice is that the most important thing individuals can do to protect themselves is 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 (37.8 degrees and above)
• 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 7 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.
For the latest information on COVID-19 refer to the NHS COVID-19 pages and the latest guidance for people with confirmed or possible COVID-19.