Coronavirus on the Fylde coast: Second Covid-19 case confirmed as schools tell pupils to stay away

Lancashire County Council said a patient in Fylde has tested positive for the illness, bringing the total number of cases in the county to seven.

The news came as schools have announced precautionary measures to tackle the spread of the virus.

Stalmine Primary School said yesterday it had closed with “immediate effect” due to a pupil’s links to a “suspected case”, while South Shore Academy has told pupils in years seven to nine to stay away next week.

In a statement the school said the decision was taken due to “higher levels of staff absence as people follow the government’s new advice about self-isolating”.

The latest guidance says anyone showing symptoms – a persistent cough and a fever – should self-isolate for seven days. They will not be tested for the illness.

Meanwhile, in a letter home to parents, headteacher at Layton Primary School, Jonathan Clucas, said children showing symptoms should not go in to school. He said while he hoped to keep the school open, “a closure in the next few weeks is looking more likely than before”.

Lancashire County Council said all six confirmed patients within its area, including the most recent diagnosis in Fylde, are self-isolating at home. Blackpool, which sits outside the county council, has one confirmed case.

Three people in Chorley have been diagnosed with Covid-19. One of them is understood to work in Fylde and the firm has been contacting staff. It is not known if there is any link to the latest case.

A further two people in South Ribble have also tested positive.

Lancashire County Council’s director of public health and wellbeing, Dr Sakthi Karunanithi said: “All those who have tested positive for the virus in Lancashire are being well looked-after and isolating themselves at home.

“I would stress that if you have not been contacted by Public Health England you do not need to do anything beyond following the general advice being given to the public.”

Anyone who experiences a new, continuous cough or a high temperature is advised to stay at home for seven days. They do not need to call the NHS 111 number.

However, if they symptoms get worse, or have not gone in seven days, they should contact NHS 111 online or via phone if they cannot access the internet.

Dr Karunanithi added: “I’d like to reassure people that we are doing everything we reasonably can to stop the virus spreading and ensure people are protected.”

Meanwhile, GPs on the Fylde coast have been telling some patients not to come in the surgery. Several said they will reschedule face-to-face appointments and carry out consultations over the phone to limit the number of people coming through the doors.

Many have told patients not to come in unless they are asked to do so by staff.

Local elections across the country, including the vote for Lancashire’s police and crime commissioner, have been postponed because of the coronavirus outbreak.

Incumbent Clive Grunshaw said it was “the only sensible option”.

And several events have already been cancelled amid the spread of the virus, including the North Fylde Music Circle Concert at Blackpool Sixth Form College on March 20 and a charity car wash at Forest Gate fire station today.