The number of people across the UK who have now tested positive for coronavirus continues to rise, and a total of nine cases have so far been reported in Nottingham and Nottinghamshire .
Public Health England say six people have tested positive for COVID-19 in the county, while a further three people are known to have the virus in the city.
Nottingham City Council and Nottinghamshire County Council are working alongside the NHS and Public Health England (PHE) to respond and offer advice as the pandemic unfolds.
In the first instance, anyone who is showing signs of the virus can call the NHS on 111 or visit www.111.nhs.uk where more details can be found and the situation can be assessed.
Both Nottingham University Hospitals (NUH) and Sherwood Forest Hospitals (SFH) have urged people who feel unwell not to come straight to hospital or their GP surgery and to not use public transport.
Instead, it is advised to stay indoors and avoid contact with other people and contact 111.
If you have been in a country in the last 14 days with a high risk of coronavirus or been in close contact with someone who has tested positive for the virus, the same rules apply.
As well as information online via the NHS and Government websites, there are also posters in most key public sites, GP surgeries and hospitals.
Nottingham University Hospitals (NUH) on behalf of the NHS is urging people who feel unwell not to come straight to hospital or their GP surgery and to not use public transport.
GPs have been advised to stop online appointment bookings to mitigate the risk from potentially infected patients coming into the practice.
Patients are being encouraged to phone the surgery to book, where they can be triaged before an appointment is made face-to-face.
You may need to check with your local GP about routine appointments or ordering prescriptions.
Advice on coronavirus posted online by Sherwood Forest Hospitals said: "Testing of suspected coronavirus cases is carried out in line with strict guidelines.
"This means that suspected cases are kept in isolation, away from public areas of GP surgeries, pharmacies and hospitals and returned home also in isolation.
"Any equipment that comes into contact with suspected cases is thoroughly cleaned as appropriate. Specific guidance has also been shared with NHS staff to help safeguard them and others.
"Patients can be reassured that their safety is a top priority, and are encouraged to attend all appointments as usual."
People who have been tested for coronavirus will be told to self-isolate until doctors call them with their test results.
The main advice for anyone wanting to prevent catching or spreading the virus is to wash your hands regularly with soap and water, especially when you get home or into work.
Where soap and water are not available, use hand sanitiser gel.
If you cough or sneeze, cover your mouth with a tissue or your sleeve - not your hands - and put tissues in the bin straightaway and wash your hands afterwards.
Where possible, avoid close contact with people who are unwell.
Do not touch your eyes, nose or mouth if your hands are not clean.
The NHS and Public Health England (PHE) says they are extremely well prepared for outbreaks of new infectious diseases.
The NHS has put in place measures to ensure the safety of all patients and NHS staff while also ensuring services are available to the public as normal.
As of March 12, more than 125,000 people have been infected across 80 countries, with more than 4,600 death globally.
3,000 of those deaths have occurred in mainlined China. 68,000 people have recovered from coronavirus.
Jonathan Gribbin, director of Public Health for Nottinghamshire County Council , and Alison Challenger, director of Public Health for Nottingham City Council , both said: “I’d like to reassure people that the risk to the general public remains low and the local authority is working with health colleagues to do everything we can to stop the virus spreading and ensure the people of Nottinghamshire 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."
