County Durham and Darlington NHS Foundation Trust, which is suspending visiting at all of its hospitals from 9am tomorrow, has issued advice for outpatients.

The trust made its decision in response to increasing numbers of Covid-19 cases across County Durham and today’s Government announcement regarding local increased restriction measures.

The trust has confirmed that anyone attending an outpatient appointment and those coming into the Emergency Departments at University Hospital of North Durham or Darlington Memorial Hospital should attend alone, unless they are patients with dementia, a learning disability or autism and those who require a carer and they will be able to have one person accompanying them.

A trust spokesman said: "The public are reminded that they will need to wear a face mask or covering, practice good hand hygiene and maintain social distancing at all times."

Symptoms of coronavirus include a high temperature, new continuous cough and a loss or change in your sense of taste and smell. If you experience any of these symptoms, you must isolate immediately and call 119 and arrange for a test.

If you develop symptoms your household contacts will also be required to self-isolate. More information on self-isolation is available on the NHS website.