Person with coronavirus from Peterborough area not in city when they fell ill and was treated elsewhere

A second case of coronavirus has been confirmed in Northamptonshire.

A Public Health England spokesman told the PT this evening (Friday, March 6) that a listing on its website that stated there were between one and four cases in the city actually referred to a patient from the area who contracted the virus elsewhere and was treated outside the city.

The spokesman said that because the patient had a Peterborough area postcode its website had listed the city as having between one and four cases.

She said after making further checks: “The case listed as Peterborough actually refers to a patient who contracted the virus elsewhere and who was treated elsewhere. That patient featured in earlier listings of cases but because they have a Peterborough postcode the case was listed next to Peterborough.

“I can confirm tht there are currently no confirmed cases in the city itself.”

The PT inderstands that person from the area who contracted the virus has recovered but the spokesman declined to give any further details about the case.

PT Editor Mark Edwards said: “All media were aware that the Public Health England official figures were updated this afternoon. The PHE is an official source for this information. On this occasion it seems that it published information that was frankly misleading which formed the basis of breaking news reports published by us and others earlier today (Friday). I am glad we can clarify the position now.

“We understand the person who contracted the virus has made a recovery which is good news.”

The Government published the daily figures of where cases of the virus have been confirmed.

No further details have been revealed.

There have been no cases confirmed in Cambridgeshire

So far, a small number of schools in Peterborough, Cambridgeshire and Lincolnshire have closed as a precaution, but this is the first time there has been a confirmed case.

Neighbouring Northampton has so far also had between one and four positive diagnoses for the virus, as has Lincolnshire. There are no cases in Norfolk

Nationally, an elderly patient, reported to be a woman in her 70s, became the first person in the UK to die after being diagnosed with coronavirus.

In total, the number of UK cases of Covid-19 has surged to 163 with Downing Street warning it is “highly likely” the virus will spread “in a significant way”.

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