A PERSON from the Cheltenham area has been the third person in Gloucestershire to test positive for coronavirus.

It comes as cases across the UK have jumped once again as latest figures show 23,513 people have been tested, with 273 confirmed as positive as at 9am this morning (Sunday) – an increase of 64. Two patients who tested positive for COVID-19 have died.

Public Health England is currently contacting people who may have had close contact with the latest confirmed case in Gloucestershire, one of Herefordshire's neighbouring counties.

Close contacts will be given health advice about symptoms and emergency contact details to use if they become unwell in the 14 days after they had contact with the confirmed case. It's thought to be the closest confirmed case to Herefordshire so far.

No cases have been confirmed in Herefordshire, according to Public Health England.

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Sarah Scott, Director of Public Health in Gloucestershire said: “ Whilst I appreciate people may be anxious about this evolving situation, I can reassure them that we are working with colleagues across the county to do everything possible to try and minimise the spread of Covid-19.”

“It is important that we all carry on with good hand washing and catching any coughs and sneezes in a tissue.

"It is also important we that we check on vulnerable neighbours to see if they need anything and continue to be responsible with our comments and actions, so as not to cause undue concern or anxiety within our communities.”

Two residents in the Gloucestershire town of Tetbury contracted the virus last weekend, one of which was a staff member at St Mary's Primary School.

READ MORE: First patients test positive for coronavirus in Gloucestershire