UPDATED:THE number of confirmed cases of Coronavirus in Warrington has now reached 19, as Warrington Borough Council is taking action to protect the vulnerable, including emergency shelter for rough sleepers.
It is the biggest single increase in figures, increasing by nearly 100 per cent in the past 48 hours, since the first case was confirmed on March 11.
There has been one confirmed death from Coronavirus so far involving a 59-year-old man who had underlying health issues.
While Warrington still remains one of the slower spreading areas of the country, the town’s hospital is prepared for an escalation of cases in the coming days having quadrupled high dependency beds and currenty over 100 empty beds.
Meanwhile Warrington Borough Council is moving quickly to help some of the most vulnerable n the town including rough sleepers.
Cllr Maureen McLaughlin, Executive Board Member for Public Health and Wellbeing, said: “Our priority is, and will always be, protecting our most vulnerable. During this difficult time, more than ever, we are committed to ensuring there is the right support available for this vulnerable group.
“We are therefore working with our partners to ensure there is suitable support available for our people sleeping rough.
“We will be establishing a homelessness emergency centre so that we can provide self-isolation facilities for people sleeping rough and relocate those in shared facilities, to ensure we are following the national guidance in terms of social distancing.
“We are grateful for the overwhelming support from the people, partners and businesses of Warrington in sharing our commitment to support our most vulnerable.”
The number of confirmed cases in the UK currently stands at 17,089 with 1019 deaths, with 2,546 new cases yesterday and 260 deaths.
Meanwhile police in Warrington are urging residents to following lockdown advice and stay at home with numerous incidents of people ignoring the new laws.
Yesterday the council had to close down the community recycling centres as motorists formed long queues after carrying out spring cleans at home, while on the streets youths continue to cause a nuisance, including an incident involving a group coughing at NHS health workers, claiming they had cornavirus.
Youths to be prosecuted after coughing at NHS staff claiming to have Coronavirus!
