EE bosses confirm no staff at Sunderland call centre have been diagnosed with coronavirus

The call centre based at Doxford Park has confirmed that members of staff have not been affected by the outbreak of the illness which has spread around the world.

The confirmation comes following a number of concerns raised in the city that staff working at the centre had contracted COVID-19.

But now bosses for EE have disputed claims and said that they have had no reports of anyone affected at the EE Doxford Park call centre.

It comes as the number of confirmed coronavirus cases in the North East has risen to 13.

Latest figures from Public Health England on Wednesday, March 11, show there are now six confirmed COVID-19 cases in Newcastle, three in North Tyneside, two in Stockton and one each in Sunderland and County Durham.

Six people have died in UK hospitals.

Cases of coronavirus (COVID-19) were first reported in Hubei Province, China, in December 2019.

Typical symptoms of coronavirus include fever and a cough that may progress to a severe pneumonia causing shortness of breath and breathing difficulties.

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

Anyone with the above symptoms is urged to use the 111 online coronavirus service to find out what to do next, but should not visit a GP surgery, pharmacy or hospital.