Wythenshawe Hospital coronavirus case confirmed as total UK cases jump to 85

The total number of coronavirus cases in the UK has risen from 53 to 85 overnight, with the total number in Greater Manchester also rising.

According to the Department of Health’s daily update, 16,659 people have been tested for coronavirus, with 16,574 negative and a further 32 positive, taking the total to 85.

This afternoon, Wednesday March 4th, it was reported that someone at Wythenshawe Hospital tested positive for the virus.

A Health and Social Care System in Manchester spokesperson revealed the hospital remains open to the public, and encouraged patients to attend any planned appointments, adding that the risk to the public remains low.

A tracing process for the Wythenshawe case is now underway, in order to speak to anyone that they’ve been in contact with, Public Health England confirmed – at this point, it remains unclear where or how the patient contracted coronavirus. 

It brings the total number of cases in the region to five, after one person from Bury tested positive over the weekend, and three more did yesterday.

Two of yesterday’s cases were also from Bury, and are known to the man who tested positive on Sunday, while the other is from Bolton – they became infected in Italy and are not connected to the Bury cases.

Dr Will Welfare, interim deputy director of Health Protection for Public Health England North West, said: “Public Health England is contacting people who had close contact with three cases of COVID-19 confirmed in Greater Manchester. Two of the cases are residents of Bury.

“As a result of contact tracing we know the new Bury cases announced today are known contacts of the previously confirmed case from Bury.

“The third case is a resident of Bolton which is not linked to the two cases in Bury announced today. The Bolton resident became infected whilst in Italy.

“Close contacts will be given health advice about symptoms and emergency contact details to use if they become unwell in the 14 days after contact with the confirmed cases. This tried and tested method will ensure we are able to minimise any risk to them and the wider public.”

To help stop the spread of the virus, the NHS recommends covering your mouth and nose with a tissue or sleeve when you cough or sneeze, immediately putting used tissues in the bin, washing your hands with soap and water often, and avoiding close contact with people who are unwell.

If you’ve recently travelled from areas affected by coronavirus, the current UK medical advice is to call NHS 111 to inform them of your travel and stay indoors and avoid contact with people.

For more advice on coronavirus head over to the NHS site here, and for full travel advice to UK nationals visit the government site here.