Coronavirus: Southampton hospital worker tests positive for Covid-19

The healthcare professional had worked a late shift in the surgical high dependency unit at University Hospital Southampton on Friday.

They then tested positive for Covid-19 and are now self-isolated at home.

In a statement University Hospital Southampton NHS Foundation Trust said: ‘The small number of patients and staff who came into close contact with this individual have been informed and will be appropriately isolated.

‘The surgical high dependency unit is temporarily closed to new admissions. Any patient affected by the temporary closure will be contacted directly.

‘The Trust is following Public Health England and NHS guidance in respect of the virus and all other services are operating normally.

‘Patients and staff should continue to attend appointments normally and come into work unless advised not to. Information for the public is available at nhs.uk. After reviewing the advice, if someone meets the criteria they should visit the NHS 111 online service or call 111.’

The number of cases of coronavirus quadrupled in Hampshire from two on Saturday to eight on Sunday.

So far 273 people across the country have tested positive for the disease and three have died.