THE two cases of Coronavirus just across the county border in Gloucestershire are both linked. 

It was confirmed on Sunday that the first person in the county to test positive for the virus is a member of staff at St Mary's Primary School in Tetbury who became infected whilst in Northern Italy.

The county council has now confirmed both cases are linked together. 

Debra Lapthorne, Centre Director for Public Health England South West, said: “Public Health England is contacting people who had close contact with the two confirmed cases of COVID-19. The two cases are linked and both became infected whilst in Northern Italy. Staff from PHE have continued to support St Mary’s Primary School, Tetbury, where one of the cases works. 

“Close contacts for both cases are being given health advice about symptoms and emergency contact details to use if they become unwell in the 14 days after contact with either of the confirmed cases. This tried and tested method will ensure we are able to minimise any risk to them and the wider public. If you have not been contacted by Public Health England, you do not need to take any action at this time.”

A further 12 patients have tested positive for the virus, bringing the total of people in the UK who have tested positive to 35.

The new cases are from London, Essex, West Yorkshire, Greater Manchester, Hertfordshire as well as the second case from Gloucestershire.

Chief medical officer Professor Chris Whitty, said: “As of 9am this morning 12 further patients in England have tested positive for COVID-19.

“Three patients were close contact of a known case, transmitted in the UK, identified as part of contact tracing. One patient, resident in Essex, had no relevant travel and it is not yet clear whether they contracted it directly or indirectly from an individual who had recently returned from abroad; investigations are ongoing.

“Of the remaining eight cases, six had recently travelled from Italy and two from Iran. The patients who have recently travelled are from London, West Yorkshire, Greater Manchester, Hertfordshire and Gloucestershire. All are being investigated and contact tracing has begun."