NEW cases of coronavirus have been confirmed in Oxfordshire.

UPDATE: Oxford University student one of those with coronavirus in county

Data released by Public Health England has revealed as of 9am today there are now four people who have tested positive for the virus in the county. 

This is up from two on Thursday.

It comes after the Department of Health and Social Care said this afternoon the number of cases nationally is also continuing to rise.

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There are now 206 cases in the UK, up from 163 on Friday following the testing of 21,460 people for the disease.

Two patients have died with COVID-19, one in Reading and one in Milton Keynes.

Oxford Mail: Empty shelves in Wilko's Cowley branch today. Picture: Sophie GrubbEmpty shelves in Wilko's Cowley branch today. Picture: Sophie Grubb

The first Oxfordshire patients were diagnosed two days ago, with Public Health England (PHE) and Oxfordshire County Council officials saying at the time those cases were associated with foreign travel and are not linked.

As the virus continues to spread there have been cases of panic buying across the county, with hand sanitiser and toilet roll shelves often empty in recent days.

Current evidence indicates that most cases of the coronavirus appear to be mild, with patients experiencing flu-like symptoms.

Older residents, those with weakened immune systems or long-term conditions are likely to experience more severe symptoms and develop complications. 

The symptoms of coronavirus (COVID-19) are:

  • a cough
  • a high temperature
  • shortness of breath

Self-isolation means you should:

  • stay at home
  • not go to work, school or public places
  • not use public transport or taxis
  • ask friends, family members or delivery services to do errands for you
  • try to avoid visitors to your home – it's okay for friends, family or delivery drivers to drop off food