A CASE of confirmed Coronavirus has been diagnosed in Essex, but as yet health officials have not specified where in the county - though sources have indicated this evening it is not in Thurrock.

At around 1.38pm today, (Sunday, March 1), Professor Chris Whitty Chief Medical Officer announced the news.

He said: "As of 9am this morning 12 further patients in England have tested positive for COVID-19.

"Three patients were close contacts 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 of indirectly from an individual who had recently returned from abroad; investigations are ongoing.

"Of the remaining eight cases, six had recently travelled are from London, West Yorkshire, Greater Manchester, Hertfordshire and Gloucestershire.

"All are being investigated and contact tracing has begun.

"The total number of confirmed cases in England is now 33.

"Following previously reported confirmed cases in Northern Ireland, the total number of UK cases is 35."

The virus, which presents flu-like symptoms, has seen more than 80,000 cases worldwide, with the majority in the Hubei province in Wuhan, China.

There have been a number of concerns raised at Thurrock schools where children, either on school trips or private holidays, visited northern Italy during the recent half term but detailed investigations so far have shown no-one has been in an area where the virus was confirmed.

This evening it was reported Dr David Edwards, consultant in health protection, said Public Health England is contacting people who had close contact with the Essex patient.

He says: "We're working closely with local NHS colleagues as well as Essex County Council to manage the situation and help reduce the risk of further cases," he said.

"Close contacts will be given health advice about symptoms and emergency contact details to use if they become unwell in the 14 days after contact with the confirmed case.

"This tried and tested method will ensure we are able to minimise any risk to them and the wider public."