Patient at Wythenshawe Hospital tests positive for Coronavirus

A person has tested positive for coronavirus in south Manchester.

The patient had been admitted to Wythenshawe Hospital and medics have now confirmed the unidentified individual has contracted the COVID-19 virus.

Greater Manchester Health and Social Care (GMHSC) Partnership confirmed the hospital remains open to the public, and patients should keep planned appointments.

They advised that the risk to the public remains low.

Public Health England has begun a contact tracing process to get in touch with individuals who may have been exposed.

It is not yet clear where the patient contracted the virus.

An isolation pod consisting of a small trailer and portaloo has been set up at Wythenshawe Hospital as NHS hospitals across the country try to stop the spread of the virus.

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A GMHSC spokesperson said: "We can confirm that a patient who was admitted to Wythenshawe Hospital has tested positive for COVID-19.

"The hospital remains open and we would ask that people keep their appointments and attend unless they are unwell.

"Please note the risk from the virus for the majority of people is low.

"The Trust has strict protocols in place to manage the control of infection and to reduce the possibility of cross-infection.

"Public Health England experts are carrying out contact tracing and will be in touch with individuals who may have been exposed to the virus to provide them with advice."

The announcement brings the total number of cases in Greater Manchester to five and the total number in the North West to nine, after confirmed cases in Wirral and Buxton and Lancashire.

David Regan, the director of public health for Manchester told city councillors on Tuesday that nurses could soon start testing people with suspected coronavirus in their homes.

A home-based service would be an extension of the NHS 111 - the first point of contact for anyone with concerns they have signs and symptoms of the COVID-19 virus.

The total number of people who have contracted coronavirus in the UK currently stands at 85.

There have been no confirmed deaths in the UK, although a British man who lives abroad did die after contracting coronavirus on the quarantined cruise ship Diamond Princess.

Anyone who has symptoms of coronavirus should call 111 or visit Public Health England's website.