Bassetlaw nursing chief urges public to respect coronavirus social distancing rules

The call comes after the National Trust closed Clumber Park ahead of Mother’s Day as a response to an ‘unprecedented’ number of visitors on Saturday.

Over the weekend doctors at Bassetlaw Hospital confirmed they were caring for a patient who tested positive for COVID-19 - the first official case of the disease recorded at the centre.

PM Boris Johnson said in his daily news conference yesterday "tougher measures" would be introduced if people did not take the government's coronavirus advice seriously.

David Purdue, director of nursing at Doncaster and Bassetlaw Teaching Hospitals, said: “As we are putting in place all of the necessary safeguards and plans to deal with an increase in the number of patients with coronavirus we need the public's support.

“It is absolutely essential that our communities comply with social distancing guidance - this will be crucial in reducing the number of cases in the area and ultimately protecting and caring for the most vulnerable people within Doncaster, Worksop and across the country.

“We must do everything within our power to stop the spread of coronavirus and minimise the risk of infection to others.

“As a trust we cannot overemphasise just how important following Government advice is and how we will only win this fight if we all, collectively, begin to change our behaviour and think proactively about our actions - what you do now will save lives."