Health chiefs prepared for coronavirus outbreaks as cases confirmed in North East

Public health officials confirmed on Friday March 6 that a Sunderland worker had tested positive for the disease.

The news came just hours after a second case was confirmed in Newcastle.

Newcastle City Council reported on Wednesday March 4 that a patient was being treated for the virus – now referred to as Covid-19 – the first known case in the region.

Symptoms include a cough, high temperature and shortness of breath with Government issuing guidance to the public to reduce the risk of exposure.

After the announcement of the first case, councillors in County Durham called for reassurance over how the council and other health bosses are preparing.

Director of Public Health for County Durham, Amanda Healy, told councillors that Public Health England are currently “contact tracing” the first Newcastle case.

However, there are currently no known cases in County Durham.

The public health boss said: “I think at a local level, our colleagues in the NHS are part of a more localised planning framework and respond to what is needed and are looking at business continuity plans over the phases of an outbreak and how they will be implemented.

“Within the council what we have been doing is providing up to date information for councillors and local communities through the communications we have been sending out – we have also set up an internal planning group made up of corporate directors and have our own business continuity plan.”

She added: “The things that we do know are what we are planning for.

“If this outbreak does move into an outbreak of a greater scale, we would be planning for the peak of that beyond the community transmission.

“At the moment we’re not seeing large scale community transmission which is when rather than coming from a known source we’re seeing it pass from person to person in our local communities.

“We’re trying to contain the virus as long as possible if we’re unsuccessful in doing that we have delayed the onset of that broader community transmission which brings us into warmer weather where people are more resilient.”

The comments came during a meeting on March 5 of Durham County Council’s Adults, Wellbeing and Health Overview and Scrutiny Committee in response to questions from councillors.

Focus expected to shift

At a North East level, health bosses are involved with teleconferences with the Chief Medical Officer.

If the virus progresses to community transmission, focus is expected to shift to “mass gatherings, events and school closures”, the meeting heard.

Health bosses from across the region attended the meeting for other agenda items but were invited to speak about Coronavirus.

Bosses from Durham Dales, Easington and Sedgefield’s Clinical Commissioning Group said work may have to be “re-prioritised if required” to support providers in the delivery of their services.

North East Ambulance Service leaders said plans were “robust and well tested.”

While representatives from County Durham and Darlington NHS Foundation Trust said there was a ‘command structure’ in place and encouraged anyone experiencing symptoms to call NHS 111,

Coun Rob Crute, who is chair of the council’s Corporate Overview and Scrutiny Management Board, said it was important for the council to provide a clear message to the public.

He said: “We’re talking about public health assurance but I think we need to switch to public health reassurance.

“What I have heard from all quarters of the room has put my mind at rest to some extent.

“Certainly the way Amanda gave her report this morning in very measured tones stands in stark contrast to some of the lurid headlines we’re picking up every morning.”

He added: “What we should be talking about is infection and the severity, not to gild the lily but to tell people how it is and be honest about what the real risks are.”

For more information, visit: www.durham.gov.uk/article/22892/Coronavirus-latest-news-and-advice