A second person suffering from coronavirus is now being treated in hospital.

Since this morning, a further person has tested positive for Covid-19, bringing the total to 26 people.

Health and Social Care Minister David Ashford said that 634 tests have been done, with 394 total returned, there are still 270 tests outstanding.

Due to patient confidentiality, no further details can be provided about either hospitalised cases, other than they previously self-isolating before being admitted.

Chief Minister Howard Quayle has restated his previous message that the island’s borders will close once the Ben-my-Chree docks in Douglas on Friday morning.

He also called on the building trade to cease from tonight. Sites will be allowed to open tomorrow morning, but only to be made safe. Mr Quayle said that all government projects will cease but that those ’in the national interest’ may continue after a review.

However, people will still able to order take away food, both from usual take aways and from restaurants who have started offering the service since their premises were forced to close.

Following cases in the UK, the Isle of Man’s prison has made provisions for any potential outbreak. However, the Chief Minister rejected the idea that prisoners could be released early because of any potential outbreak here.

Another victim of Covid-19 has been the island’s legal system as it was confirmed that the courts will close from the end of business today. The Chief Minister said that the decision to close the courts had been a difficult, but necessary one.

He confirmed that in special cases, the courts could be opened.