The NHS has called for people returning from anywhere in Italy to self-isolate if they believe they have symptoms of covid-19. Previously, people returning to the UK from Italy had been told to self-isolate only if they had been in the north of the country and were showing symptoms. The number of coronavirus cases in the UK has reached 116, after 29 new cases were announced today.
Italy is the worst-affected nation in Europe, with the number of people who have died in the country in the outbreak having risen from 107 to 148 in a single day.
There have been at least 3,858 infections in the country.
The health body is telling returning travellers from other specified places to self-isolate, even if they do not have symptoms of coronavirus.
These locations are Iran, Hubei province in China, lockdown areas in northern Italy, and special care zones in South Korea.
READ MORE: EU Parliament in Strasbourg CLOSED by coronavirus
For those who have travelled to the UK from these areas, the NHS says: “Stay indoors and avoid contact with other people if you’ve travelled to the UK from the following places in the last 14 days, even if you do not have symptoms.”
It also says that people should stay indoors and avoid contact with other people if they’ve travelled to the UK from the following places in the last 14 days and have a cough, high temperature or shortness of breath, even if symptoms are mild:
- Mainland China outside of Hubei province
- Italy outside of the lockdown areas
- South Korea outside of the special care zones
- Cambodia
- Hong Kong
- Japan
- Laos
- Macau
- Malaysia
- Myanmar
- Singapore
- Taiwan
- Thailand
Guidance from Public Health England says that people should use the 111 online coronavirus service in order to find out what to do next.
“Do not go to a GP surgery, pharmacy or hospital,” it says.
“In Scotland call your GP or NHS 24 on 111 out of hours.
“In Wales call 111 (if available in your area) or 0845 46 47.
“In Northern Ireland call 111.”
Today, Britain’s first death related to the Coronavirus outbreak was confirmed.
The Royal Berkshire NHS Trust announced that a patient in their hospital has passed away. Last night, they had tested positive for coronavirus.
A statement from The Royal Berkshire NHS Trust from a spokesperson said the patient had previously been “in and out of hospital for non-coronavirus reasons” but had tested positive last night.
The statement read: “Sadly, we can confirm the an older patient with underlying health conditions has died.
“The patient has previously been in and out of hospital for non-coronavirus reasons, but on this occasion was admitted and last night tested positive for coronavirus.
“The family has been informed and our thoughts are with them at this difficult time. We will not be commenting further and ask that everybody respects the family’s privacy.”
Coronavirus symptoms
The symptoms of coronavirus are:
- A cough
- A high temperature
- Shortness of breath
However, the NHS points out that having these symptoms does not necessarily mean that a person has the illness.
“The symptoms are similar to other illnesses that are much more common, such as cold and flu,” the health body states on its website.