PEOPLE have been urged to wash their hands to prevent the spread of coronavirus.

The government has said it will launch adverts to drive home the message that regular hand-washing is the single most important action individuals can take in the fight against Covid-19.

It comes the day after the Government launched its "battle plan" to combat the outbreak with a warning that up to a fifth of the UK workforce could be off sick when the virus hits its peak.

Officials disclosed on Tuesday that the number of people in the UK diagnosed with Covid-19 had risen to 53, with 14 new cases - while a British woman staying in Tenerife has also tested positive for the virus.

Two more people in Scotland have been diagnosed with coronavirus, it has been confirmed.

What's the situation in my area?

There have been no confirmed cases in Worcestershire so far. The nearest confirmed case of Coronavirus is in the Cotswolds, with two Tetbury resident testing positive.

Cotswold District Council has confirmed that two people in the Tetbury area have contracted the virus.

The first person in the county to test positive for the virus was a member of staff at St Mary's Primary School who became infected whilst in Northern Italy.

Gloucestershire County Council has confirmed both cases are linked together.

How seriously is the NHS taking the virus?

NHS England has ordered hospitals to review their intensive care bed numbers and how they could be increased to cope with a surge in cases.

In a letter to NHS bosses, strategic incident director Keith Willett said a level four incident - the highest category - had been declared

He raised the prospect that infected patients may soon start being treated on hospital wards as the numbers grow.

Hospitals have been told to draw up plans to segregate wards such as A&E departments in the event of a "significant escalation" in cases.

All adults and children in intensive care with any kind of respiratory infection must also now be tested for the virus.

Officials are still working to delay the peak of the virus until the warmer months when health services are less busy coping with seasonal flu.

In a worst case scenario, up to 80% of the population could become infected, with people hospitalised with pneumonia and a relatively high death rate among the elderly and frail.

A sharp rise in the numbers could see non-urgent operations cancelled and recently retired NHS staff being called back to duty.

West Midlands Ambulance is undertaking a recruitment campaign to support the 111 service during the increased demand caused by Coronavirus. It is looking for people to join the team as a call assessor, clinical advisor, GP or advanced practitioner.

How can I protect myself?

The latest adverts - to be rolled out across print, radio, online and billboards - will reinforce the message that people should be washing their hands more often.

It includes when they come in from home or work, after they blow their nose, cough or sneeze, and before they eat or handle food.

The adverts say washing should be for 20 seconds, using soap and water or hand sanitiser.

Health Secretary Matt Hancock said: "We all have a role to play in stopping this disease and that's what this expanded campaign is all about - making sure the public knows exactly what they should be doing to keep themselves and others safe.

"Washing hands regularly is the single most important thing that an individual can do."