Bedford Hospital treats patient with coronavirus

Bedford Hospital has confirmed it's treating a patient for the coronavirus.

In the town's first confirmed case of COVID-19, the hospital wouldn't be drawn into anymore information about the patient involved but just issued a statement to all media.

The spokesman said: "In order to protect patient confidentiality at all times, Bedford Hospital NHS Trust does not comment on individual patient cases.

"However in light of the current global activity with COVID-19 (coronavirus) we can confirm we are treating a patient with confirmed COVID-19 at the hospital.

"We would like to reassure patients that all necessary infection prevention and control processes and procedures have been carried out from admission."

In line with the Government and NHS guidelines, Bedford Hospital is asking the public to stay at home for seven days if they have either:

*a high temperature

*a new continuous cough

Please do not go to a GP surgery, pharmacy or into the hospital. You do not need to contact 111 to tell them you’re staying at home. However, please use the NHS 111 online coronavirus service if:

*you feel you cannot cope with your symptoms at home

*your condition gets worse

*your symptoms do not get better after 7 days

Only call NHS 111 if you cannot get help online. Full Public Health advice including how to avoid catching or spreading coronavirus can be found on the NHS website here