By Following confirmations from health officials at the Mount Vernon Cancer Centre, we reported that a patient in Hertfordshire had tested positive for Coronavirus or COVID-19. We have now been issued with an update on cases of Coronavirus in Hertfordshire.
Health officials at the same hospital are now alleging that the same patient, a clinician, has now tested negative.
A statement by the East and North Hertfordshire Trust has stated:
“After initial PCR testing by Public Health England, subsequent genomic testing shows that the member of staff from Mount Vernon has now proven to be negative for Coronavirus (COVID-19). Public Health England has just informed us of this latest result.
We are thankful to colleagues at NHS England and Public Health England who have been in close communication with us, both as they tested, and then supported us as we implemented national guidance.
Our patients at Mount Vernon will be advised of this information and normal service will resume by Wednesday.”
The updated total number of confirmed cases of Coronavirus in Hertfordshire now remains at four. Nationwide, there are now 40 confirmed cases.
Yesterday, Prime Minister Boris Johnson held an emergency Cobra meeting to discuss an action plan in the event that the spread of the virus gets worse. He said it was “likely” there will be a widespread outbreak in the UK:
“We have agreed a plan so that as and when if and when it starts to spread, as it looks likely it will, we are in a position to take the steps that will necessary to contain he spread and to protect the most vulnerable and we will be announcing the details of that plan in the weeks ahead.
The single most useful thing we can all do is to wash our hands. Other than that i wish to stress at the moment people consider going about business as usual.”
When asked about the worst case scenario, Boris said: “You will have seen there are all sorts of projections of where it could go, but our job is to protect the public and we think we have a very good plan of how and when to take the steps necessary.”
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