EMERGENCY plans to tackle coronavirus locally ahead of a potential ‘pandemic’ are being drawn up by councillors.

It comes as no cases have yet been confirmed in West Berkshire, but numbers are on the rise across the country.

In Reading, one case was confirmed after a teacher at Willow Bank Infant School, Woodley, tested positive for the virus.

READ MORE: Coronavirus warning to parents of Willow Bank School as teacher tests positive

Preparations are being led by Public Health for Berkshire, working with emergency services and the six councils across the county.

West Berkshire Council is “planning for all eventualities”, according to Councillor Rick Jones (Con, Tilehurst & Purley), lead for public health. 

He said: “The most recent information available to us is that there have been no confirmed cases of coronavirus in West Berkshire residents. However, we know this is a fast evolving situation which changes daily, and we continue to monitor the situation very closely.” 

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The Berkshire Pandemic Influenza Response Plan is being updated, Cllr Jones added. It is unclear what is in the plan, and a council spokesman said it is currently undecided whether it will be made publicly available or kept confidential. 

Across Berkshire, local groups have been set up to look at “readiness arrangements” and “business continuity arrangements”. 

Cllr Jones said: “West Berkshire Council has set up a Covid-19 planning and response team to coordinate activity across the council. 

“This includes representatives from all council departments, with a particular focus on making plans to ensure that the most vulnerable in our society are supported and that the council can continue to operate, as far as possible.”

Most people who catch the virus have mild, flu-like symptoms, Cllr Jones said, while older people or those with weaker immune systems could have more severe symptoms. 

He added: “We recognise that our local residents and communities have an important role to play in containing the outbreak by following the latest health and travel advice, and basic hygiene precautions, such as washing hands frequently, not touching your face, and covering your mouth with a tissue when you cough or sneeze.

“If you have recently been to one of the affected areas and are feeling unwell, you should phone the NHS 111 line for further advice straight away, or use the online facility. You should not go to the doctors or hospital.

“As a council, we have a responsibility to respond in a calm and assured way, and ask the public to do the same. The head of public health will provide weekly updates on Fridays to councillors.”