It’s only a matter of time before the first coronavirus case is recorded in the island, the public health director said.

Dr Henrietta Ewart gave an update on the government’s coronavirus contingency planning at a press conference yesterday (Thursday).

So far 19 tests have been carried out in the island but no cases have yet been confirmed. Seventeen of those 19 tests have come back negative and results of two others are awaited.

Dr Ewart said that in the UK, where there confirmed cases have now topped 300 with four fatalities, there is evidence of community transmission of the virus for the first time.

She said the UK's response is moving from one of containment to one of delaying coronavirus’s advance.

She said it was only a matter of time before that happened here, too.

’We still expect the vast majority of cases to be mild and a substantial number sub-clinical,’ she said.

’We are behind the curve and still in the containment phase.’

Health chiefs have started ’surge’ planning to look at how best to deal with the expected extra pressure on capacity and staffing at Noble’s Hospital. This includes creating extra bed capacity and bringing in extra staff.

Government is planning for staff absence in the public services of between 35 and 50%.

The advice for anyone who thinks they have symptoms is to self-isolate and call their GP or MEDS.

But it is vital for everyone to focus on personal hygiene including washing hands regularly if the spread of the virus is to be contained or at least delayed.

Government is to announce packages of measures as the situation develops.

Health Minister David Ashford said: ’Detailed planning is taking place across government.

’Just as it’s important not to under-react it’s equally important not to over-react.’

More than 111,000 people have been infected globally since the outbreak of coronavirus in China in December, with cases now in more than 100 countries.