March 2020 - Coronavirus hits Essex and East London

At the time there had been around 80,000 cases worldwide.

Health Secretary Matt Hancock said London could be placed on lockdown in the event of a widespread coronavirus outbreak.

Mr Hancock said on the BBC’s Andrew Marr show that the Government was “looking at all options” and did not rule out following China’s lead in isolating cities.

“We won’t take anything off the table at this stage, because you have got to make sure you have all the tools available if that is what is necessary”, he said.

Essex’s first confirmed coronavirus patient was treated in Harlow as the month began before being transferred to another hospital.

The patient was treated at Princess Alexandra hospital.

Dr David Edwards, of Public Health England East, revealed health officials were working to contact people who had contact with the patient.

By the second week of the month, the first case of coronavirus in Waltham Forest confirmed by officials.

The council revealed a resident had contracted the Covid-19 virus on March 9, the day after neighbouring Redbridge Council confirmed its first case.

At the time of going to press, the latest figures showed there were 373 confirmed cases in the UK and six deaths – with new cases being added at a rate of around 50 per day.

By the time of the March 19 edition, two secondary schools had announced partial closures as the coronavirus outbreak continued to spread.

King Harold Business and Enterprise Academy in Broomstick Road, Waltham Abbey, sent home all Year 8 and 9 pupils on March 18 until further notice due to the low number of staff.

No cases of Covid-19 had been confirmed by the school.

Elsewhere, The Ongar Academy in Fyfield Road, Ongar, confirmed on Tuesday that it would also be partially open until Friday, March 20.

Head teacher Allan Osborne tweeted: “I will not be made to be a martyr and compromise the health and safety of children.”

Katherines Primary Academy, in Brookside, Harlow, said a student in reception was self-isolating alongside their family.

And more than 13,000 people joined the Essex Coronavirus Action group on Facebook in a bid to help vulnerable residents during the Covid-19 outbreak.

Essex Coronavirus Action, a collaboration between Essex County Council, The Essex Public Health Team, and local Facebook group administrators, was launched on March 14.

As the month ended and the nation moved into lockdown, the Guardian joined local and regional papers across the country in printing the same front page.