A paramedic has tested positive for coronavirus as cases in the UK continue to rise
An NHS Spokesperson said: “The Chief Medical Officer today confirmed a further case of COVID-19 who is a resident of Hertfordshire and a paramedic with the East of England Ambulance Service (EEAST).
“There are well established procedures that are being followed in a case such as this and the NHS and Public Health England are taking all necessary steps to manage the situation.”
It was not made clear if or how many people the paramedic had come into contact with.
It comes following the deaths of the seventh and eighth deaths of patients diagnosed with coronavirus, with the number of confirmed cases reaching 460.
The World Health Organisation has declared that the outbreak is now a global pandemic.
Today, the Prime Minister is expected to switch the government’s coronavirus approach - attempting to delay the peak.
This could see schools closed, sporting events cancelled and people made to work from home wherever possible.
Up to this point the government has focused on trying to contain the virus.
But it is hoped that if steps are taken to postpone its peak until the warmer months, it will ease pressure on an already-stretched NHS.
A COBRA meeting is set to be held this morning, and Health Secretary Matt Hancock said he will be meeting with opposition leaders to discuss the crisis.
Health Secretary Matt Hancock is also set to meet with opposition leaders today to discuss emergency laws which may be brought into place to tackle the crisis.
The Tory cabinet member said: “The best way for us to beat it is for us to work together.”
He told reporters that the meeting will be held “first thing”.
Yesterday the Department for Health confirmed there had been 83 more cases since Tuesday.
The bug has also his cabinet members as Chancellor Rishi Sunak said another member of the cabinet has been forced to self-isolate after health minister Nadine Dorries’ coronavirus diagnosis.
The finance chief did not name the minister in a TV interview this morning.
Mr Sunak told BBC Breakfast this morning: “This has obviously now impacted Parliament and government, and we are dealing with it, like all other businesses are going to have to start dealing with it.
“For the various people that have been impacted by this, obiously that work is going on with Public Health England who are going through that process - as they do in all cases around the country - and they are exceptionally good at it, and it’s a very thorough and rigorous process.”
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