Yahoo News Coronavirus: Two staff members at Liverpool hospital test positive as UK cases soar
A second staff member at Aintree University Hospital in Liverpool has tested positive for coronavirus.
On Monday, it was confirmed a first member of staff at the hospital had tested positive for Covid-19.
The Liverpool Echo reported Thursday’s confirmed case was a male consultant surgeon who had returned from Italy.
Liverpool University Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust has contacted patients who may have come into contact with the surgeon and the staff member.
The hospital remains open and patients can attend appointments as planned.
A spokesman for Liverpool University Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust said: “We can confirm that a second member of staff at Aintree University Hospital has tested positive for coronavirus (Covid-19).
“They were identified, informed and advised as part of contact tracing related to an existing case.
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“The member of staff concerned has been asked to self-isolate at home. This tried and tested method is to ensure we are able to minimise any risk to them, our patients and the wider public.
“Advice has been sought from PHE (Public Health England) experts and the chance of transmission to staff and patients in the wider hospital setting is considered to be low.
“An extensive ‘contact tracing’ exercise is underway to trace anyone who might have had close contact with the member of staff.
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“The health, safety and wellbeing of all our staff is an absolute priority and we will work within the guidelines issued by the Health and Safety Executive (HSE) to ensure all practices are safe and meet the necessary requirements.”
On Thursday, NHS England confirmed the total number of people with coronavirus in the UK rose to 590.
Two more people were confirmed to have died from the virus in the UK, bringing the total to 10.
Read more: Scotland to ban large gatherings to delay coronavirus spread
A total of 29,174 people have been tested across the UK so far, according to the Department for Health.
Boris Johnson is holding an emergency Cobra meeting on Thursday where ministers and leaders are expected to agree to move into the “delay” stage of the process.
Read more: Coronavirus: Number of UK cases soars to 590 in biggest daily increase
The next phase in the Government’s plan to tackle COVID-19 could see mass gatherings banned across the whole of the UK.
Moving to delay would mean social distancing measures could be brought in, such as restricting public gatherings and issuing more widespread advice to stay at home.
