Coronavirus: First Leicestershire death from virus confirmed

A man aged in his 80s passed away at the Leicester Royal Infirmary, the University Hospitals of Leicester NHS Trust has reported, although it is unclear what part of the county he lived in.

A spokesperson said: “Sadly, we can confirm that a man who was being cared for at the Leicester Royal Infirmary, and had tested positive for COVID-19, has died.

“The patient, who died on Thursday March 12, was in his 80s.

“It was later confirmed he had tested positive for COVID-19.

“His family has been informed and our thoughts and condolences are with them at this difficult and distressing time.

“Leicester’s Hospitals are continuing to follow all of the appropriate infection control guidance to provide safe and effective care to our patients.”

And the trust has brought in stringent new guidelines today to help protect patients, visitors and staff at the Leicester Royal Infirmary, Glenfield Hospital and Leicester General Hospital.

The new restrictions are:

**Visiting from 6pm-8pm only, with no more than 2 visitors per patient;

**No children under 16 to visit;

**For Neonatal, Maternity and Intensive Care visiting arrangements visitors must contact the units directly;

**Discretion will be used for main carers and in exceptional circumstances including compassionate grounds (please speak to a member of staff if this applies to you.

Additional advice has been offered to those with appointments at the hospitals or who need to come for emergency care:

**If you are well, please attend your appointment as usual unless advised otherwise;

**If you have a high temperature or persistent cough, please do not come to the hospitals, and contact the number on your appointment letter for advice;

**If you are coming for an outpatient appointment or to the Emergency Department/ Clinical Decisions Unit, please do not bring more than one person to accompany you and where possible please do not bring children with you.

Andrew Furlong, medical director at Leicester’s Hospitals, said: “As the situation with COVID-19 continues to develop rapidly, we are taking every possible step to protect patients, visitors and staff and to prevent the spread of the virus.

“We know the visiting restrictions will be difficult for some. Our staff will be using their discretion on compassionate grounds and in exceptional circumstances to help with this.

“Thank you for helping us to protect and care for patients, visitors and our staff.”

Go online at www.gov.uk/guidance/wuhan-novel-coronavirus-information-for-the-public for the latest information on COVID-19.