Police officers in self-isolation as suspect is tested for Coronavirus
19 February 2020, 15:48
Three police officers are in self-isolation after coming into contact with a woman who is being tested for coronavirus.
A Staffordshire Police spokesman said: "Three members of Staffordshire Police are staying at home as a precautionary measure after reports that a woman who had been detained in custody was unwell.
"The woman, who is a non-UK national, was arrested in Burton and taken to Northern Area Custody in Stoke-on-Trent.
"Tests have taken place but health officials believe it is ‘highly unlikely’ the woman has Covid-19 (coronavirus).
"The results of the tests will be known later this week and in the meantime the two police constables and a PCSO are staying at home as a precautionary measure in accordance with NHS guidelines."
The whole building was put on lockdown for around an hour on Wednesday, with custody staff and police officers being told to go home.
More than 73,000 people have been infected with coronavirus in China, with travellers spreading the disease to at least 26 different countries across the globe.
Only nine cases of the illness have been diagnosed in the UK - all in England - with Public Health England carrying out 5,216 tests.
