THE Countess of Chester Hospital is stepping up measures to provide support in case of Coronavirus cases locally.

A new dedicated 'Countess Coronavirus Support Centre' is to be set up in the grounds of the hospital from tomorrow (Friday) to allow anyone with symptoms consistent with the virus to be assessed.

The 'special area' has been designed to allow people to be assessed without risk to other patients or hospital staff.

The move has been made in conjunction with all NHS trusts in England and follows the news the threat level for Coronavirus has been raised from 'low' to 'moderate'.

Countess of Chester Hospital chief executive Dr Susan Gilby gave details of the new centre, while stressing that at present the risk in the UK of infection from the virus, which has killed more than 500 people globally so far, remains low.

She said: “Following the decision by the UK Chief Medical Officer to raise the threat level for Coronavirus from low to moderate, we will be putting in place additional measures at the Countess of Chester Hospital.

"The risk of infection in the UK remains low and the measures being taken are in line with Public Health England and NHS England guidance to ensure the safety of all patients and staff.

“Along with all other NHS trusts, we have been asked to organise a special area which will be called ‘The Countess Coronavirus Support Centre’ to allow any member of the public with symptoms consistent with the virus to be assessed without posing a risk to staff or patients.

"The Centre will be open to patients from 5pm on Friday, February 7, and will be accessed at the Haygarth Centre via Countess Way.

“Please be reassured that day-to-day services throughout the hospital remain unaffected and we will continue to deliver high-quality healthcare services to the people of West Cheshire and Flintshire.”

Currently, there are three confirmed cases of people having the virus in the UK.