The patient is now being treated at Queen Elizabeth Hospital. Lewisham and Greenwich NHS Trust is working with Public Health England (PHE) and contacting all patients and staff who may have had contact with the patient as a precautionary measure. The hospital continues to remain open as usual so please attend appointments as planned.

Cllr Danny Thorpe, Leader of Royal Greenwich says: “While we are doing all we can to prevent the spread of the virus including the formation of a dedicated Task Force to oversee the Royal Borough of Greenwich’s response to the outbreak, it does not come as a total surprise that we now have our first confirmed case in the borough. I cannot emphasise enough the importance of making sure we all follow the hygiene advice and to contact NHS 111 in the first instance if you think you have coronavirus.”

We need everyone to help to slow the spread

The single most important thing that we can all do is wash our hands regularly, especially:

• when we get to work, school and other public places and arrive home
• after we blow our nose, cough or sneeze
• before we eat or handle food.

Wash your hands for 20 seconds, using soap and water, or hand sanitiser if soap and water is not available. And continue to carry tissues and use them to catch coughs and sneezes, and bin the tissues.

Most people can continue to go to work, school and other public places. You only need to stay away from public places (self-isolate) if advised to do so by the NHS 111 coronavirus service or a medical professional.

Symptoms

Coronavirus can cause more severe symptoms in people with weakened immune systems, older people, and those with long-term conditions like diabetes, cancer and chronic lung disease.

The main symptoms of coronavirus (COVID-19) are a cough, a high temperature and shortness of breath. However, these symptoms do not necessarily mean you have the illness. The symptoms are like other illnesses that are much more common, such as cold and flu.

Check if you need medical help and advice

Call 111 or visit https://111.nhs.uk/covid-19  Do not go to a GP surgery, pharmacy or hospital.

Do not go to a GP surgery, pharmacy or hospital. Call 111, stay indoors and avoid close contact with other people.

For more information visit nhs.uk/conditions/coronavirus-covid-19/