A fourth person in Dorset, and the first in the Dorset Council area, has been confirmed as having Coronavirus, the authorities said on Friday evening.

A spokesperson for Dorset Council said: ‘Public Health England and Dorset and BCP Councils can confirm that a resident in the Dorset Council area has tested positive for coronavirus (COVID-19).

‘Public Health England is following up the case tracing and advising contacts according to national guidance and protocol.’

Rachel Partridge Assistant Director of Public Health for Dorset and BCP Councils said: ‘I’d like to reassure people that the risk to the general public remains low and we are working with health colleagues to do everything we can to stop the virus spreading and ensure the people of Dorset are protected.’

As per the current advice, the most important thing individuals can do to protect themselves remains washing their hands more often, for at least 20 seconds, with soap and water. Make sure you cough or sneeze into a tissue, put it in a bin and wash your hands.

See earlier story here.