A BROMSGROVE councillor is rallying round to help those isolating themselves to prevent coronavirus spreading in the community and around the country.

Councillor Michael Thompson is coordinating support for people of Charford following the outbreak.

He said: "If people would like to join the community WhatsApp group as a volunteer or if they know of people who need support please could they contact 07861739942."

The councillor, along with Kyle Daisley, will also be holding a drop in clinic rather than a residents' meeting in April to avoid large gatherings.

He is in contact with Active Kitchen and - in his role as a governor - with the head of Charford First School (and other schools) with regards to support those who have free school meals in the result of school closures.

It comes as every Briton over the age of 70 will be told "within the coming weeks" to stay at home for an extended period to protect themselves from coronavirus.

When it happens, they will be asked to stay home for "a very long time", Health Secretary Matt Hancock said.

The government is to release social distancing advice for elderly people - but they will not yet be asked to self-isolate for long periods.

At the time of going to press the number of people who have died from the virus was 35.

How COVID-19 is spread:

From what we know about other coronaviruses, spread of COVID-19 is most likely to happen when there is close contact (within 2 metres or less) with an infected person. It is likely that the risk increases the longer someone has close contact with an infected person.

Respiratory secretions produced when an infected person coughs or sneezes containing the virus are most likely to be the main means of transmission.

There are 2 main routes by which people can spread COVID-19:

infection can be spread to people who are nearby (within 2 metres) or possibly could be inhaled into the lungs.

it is also possible that someone may become infected by touching a surface, object or the hand of an infected person that has been contaminated with respiratory secretions and then touching their own mouth, nose, or eyes (such as touching door knob or shaking hands then touching own face)

There is currently little evidence that people who are without symptoms are infectious to others.