Council leaders in Bury say the risk to the wider is public is low after the first case of coronavirus was confirmed in the Manchester borough.
It is believed the patient contracted the COVID-19 virus whilst in Italy.
They have been transferred to a hospital in London, according to Chief Medical Officer for Public Health England, Chris Whitty.
Director of Public Health for Bury Council, Lesley Jones has reassured residents that the risk to the wider public is low.
A total of 12 new patients have tested positive for the virus on Sunday, with others cases confirmed in West Yorkshire, Gloucestershire, London and Hertforshire.
Andrea Simpson, Deputy Leader and cabinet member for Health and Wellbeing at Bury Council, said people who had come into contact with the patient, had been contacted.
"I don't think we should be scaremongering," she told the Manchester Evening News.
"People just need to take precautions.
"It's just a watch and wait situation to see what happens, but we don't need to scaremonger and upset people."
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A spokesperson for Bury Council confirmed they are working closely with health colleagues to ensure that the people of Bury are protected, and kept well informed.
They advised that unless people have been contacted by Public Health England, they do not need to take action at this time.
In a statement, Lesley Jones said: "I’d like to reassure people that the risk to the general public remains low and Bury Council is working with health colleagues to do everything we can to stop the virus spreading and ensure the people of Bury are protected.
"Good hygiene is the best prevention and there are some simple steps you can take to protect you and your family by washing your hands regularly and thoroughly and if you cough, cover your mouth and nose with a tissue.
“If you have recently been to one of the affected countries and are feeling unwell, you should phone the NHS’s 111 helpline for further advice straight away – please don’t go to your doctor.
"There’s lots of advice on how people can protect themselves online."
In a joint statement from Bury Council and Public Health England, Dr Will Welfare, Interim Deputy Director Health Protection Public Health England North West, said: “Public Health England is contacting people who had close contact with one of the latest confirmed cases of COVID-19.
"The case is a resident of Bury and became infected whilst in Italy.
"They are receiving care at an NHS specialist centre.
"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 case. This tried and tested method will ensure we are able to minimise any risk to them and the wider public.
A statement from Professor Chris Whitty, chief medical officer for England, said: “As of 9am this morning 12 further patients in England have tested positive for COVID-19.
"Three patients were close contacts of a known case, transmitted in the UK, identified as part of contact tracing.
"One patient, resident in Essex, had no relevant travel and it is not yet clear whether they contracted it directly or indirectly from an individual who had recently returned from abroad; investigations are ongoing.
"Of the remaining eight cases, six had recently travelled from Italy and two from Iran.
"The patients who have recently travelled are from London, West Yorkshire, Greater Manchester, Hertfordshire and Gloucestershire.
"All are being investigated and contact tracing has begun.
He added: "The total number of confirmed cases in England is now 33. Following previously reported confirmed cases in Northern Ireland and Wales, the total number of UK cases is 35.”
