Officials speak out after North Yorkshire coronavirus case confirmed

Public Health England has confirmed it will be contacting anyone who had close contact with a North Yorkshire resident who has contracted coronavirus after returning from Italy.
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Dr Simon Padfield, Consultant in Health Protection at Public Health England (PHE) Yorkshire and Humber, said: “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.”

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Officials from North Yorkshire County Council (NYCC) have said they are comitted to limiting the spread of the virus and taking all necessary precautions, thanking people across the region for following the current health guidelines. They have wished the affected resident a "speedy recovery".

Officials from PHE and NYCC have issued a statement after a North Yorkshire resident tested positive for Coronavirus.Officials from PHE and NYCC have issued a statement after a North Yorkshire resident tested positive for Coronavirus.
Officials from PHE and NYCC have issued a statement after a North Yorkshire resident tested positive for Coronavirus.

Dr Lincoln Sargeant, Director for Public Health at NYCC, said: "The individual followed the necessary health advice regarding reporting symptoms, self-isolating and being tested and regional health officials are therefore reassuring people the risk remains low.

“With our NHS partners we have robust infection control measures in place and we are continuing to work closely with PHE and the Department for Health and Social Care to plan and manage the potential impacts of the virus - based on the very latest expert guidance.

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“Everyone has a part to play in helping to reduce the spread of this virus and simple things like washing your hands regularly for 20 seconds with soap and warm water, using hand sanitisers and sneezing or coughing into a tissue or your elbow remain key practical measures. I would like to thank the public of North Yorkshire for continuing to follow this guidance.”

They have also said that while they do not expect it, they are "preparing for the worst" and that minimising the impact on residents is there number one priority.

Richard Flinton, Chair of North Yorkshire Local Resilience Forum and Chief Executive of NYCC, said: “Business continuity plans have been reviewed and detailed planning is being undertaken should we need to respond to a wide variety of impacts relating to Covid-19.

“Understandably, this is a continuously evolving and fast-moving situation – which is why the agencies are prioritising planning and responding to it as the public would understand.

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“While we do not expect it, we are planning for a reasonable worst case scenario so we are as prepared as possible should that be needed.

“It’s important to remember that across North Yorkshire overall the risk remains low.

“We all need to continue to follow the advice regarding sensible precautions and go about our business as usual.

“We are grateful to the public for their continued support.”