Northamptonshire coronavirus case total rises to eight

The number of cases of coronavirus in Northamptonshire has risen to eight today (Saturday).

Two further positive test results in the county have been confirmed in Public Health England's latest figures as the UK total shot to 1,140 with 21 deaths.

It's not yet known where in the county the patients who have most recently tested positive are or how they became infected.

Northamptonshire County Council has been contacted for comment.

Earlier this week Southfield School in Kettering closed after a person tested positive having returned from overseas. It's not known whether they are a pupil or member of staff.

A member of staff at a care home in Desborough has also tested positive.

The first Northamptonshire case was confirmed by the Department of Health on March 3, as a person who had recently been to Italy, which is the most-affected country in Europe.

KGH and NGH have since restricted their visiting hours.

The virus was declared a pandemic by the World Health Organization earlier this week and has now affected more than 150,000 people.

Italy remains in lockdown with France and Spain now taking drastic measures in a bid to stop the spread. Poland has also closed its borders for two weeks.

In the UK virtually all sport has been cancelled as well as some festivals including Radio 1's Big Weekend in Scotland.

Poppies midfielder Alistair Smith has gone into self-isolation after he was taken ill with a fever this morning.

A major business network event in Kettering has also been cancelled over coronavirus fears.

Some shops have started rationing some household essentials and dried and tinned food because people are stockpiling, leaving shelves bare. Northampton General Hospital even said they are facing a shortage of hand sanitiser because relatives of patients keep stealing them from the walls.