A Coronavirus support centre has been set up at the Countess of Chester Hospital to allow anyone displaying symptoms of the virus to be assessed without posing a risk to the general public.

Additional measures have also been put in place at the Liverpool Road hospital after the threat level in the UK was raised.

Countess of Chester Hospital Chief Executive, Dr Susan Gilby, 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 7 February 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.”