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

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

Registration is open for any residents or businesses who want to volunteer by simply filling out the online forms which should then be passed directly to the group operating near you.

As of Tuesday, March 1,7 21 people in Essex have tested positive for coronavirus out of a population of 1,477,764.

A total of 1,950 cases have been confirmed in the UK and 71 people have died, however the actual number of people with virus is estimated to between 35,000 and 50,000.

Essex County Council confirmed the launch of the action group on Twitter, saying: “That's right, a new Facebook page has been launched to help Essex residents during the coronavirus outbreak.”

Essex Coronavirus Action group also offers advice to help prevent people contracting Covid-19 and information on avoiding hoaxes, myths and fake news circulating.

Anyone who wishes to volunteer are being asked to put the official notes through the doors to elderly and self-isolating residents with your contact details on so they can get in touch.

Epping Forest Guardian:

Anyone who wishes to become a volunteer for Essex Corornavirus Action must fill out a sign-up sheet that can be submitted online or to directly to the group operating near you

A message posted on the official Facebook page said: “Thank you for helping Essex Coronavirus Action to grow. In less than 24 hours, we have been inundated with people looking to volunteer all over the county, and behind the scenes we are building an even bigger team to help carry out our three main goals throughout this outbreak: PREVENT, INFORM AND ASSIST. We’ve already hit more than 130,000 news feeds.

“Finally, please don’t forget to invite everyone you know in Essex to like this page.”

Essex County Council have also created a dedicated page on their website for the latest news and advice on coronavirus.

A statement reads: “We are unable to elaborate on specific cases and where in Essex these are. This is to ensure the confidentiality of the patient is respected.

“Based on current evidence, Coronavirus COVID-19 presents with flu-like symptoms including a fever, a cough, or difficulty breathing.

“The current evidence is that most cases appear to be mild. Anyone who is concerned about health symptoms is advised to follow the advice on the NHS website.”

Director of wellbeing, public health and communities for Essex County Council, Mike Gogarty said: “New cases of coronavirus is nothing unexpected. We fully anticipate an increase in numbers which is why our services have planned for, and are ready, for this situation.

“Current evidence indicates that most cases appear to be mild, with patients experiencing flu-like symptoms.

“Older residents or those with weakened immune systems or long-term conditions may experience more severe symptoms, which is why it is important to help protect ourselves and each other.

“Following Government guidance to take basic hygiene precautions remains the best way of significantly reducing the chances of spreading any virus: sneeze or cough into a tissue, bin it, wash your hands frequently and don’t touch your face unless you’ve just washed your hands. We should do this all day every day as we should for flu.

“Good regular cleaning with normal detergent of surfaces people touch regularly or may cough onto, like door handles and lift buttons, is also sensible."

If you have any questions, please contact Kirsty O'Callaghan, head of strengthening communities at Essex County Council. Email: kirsty.ocallaghan@essex.gov.uk

If you would like to become a volunteer for Essex Coronavirus Action, click here for the individuals sign up page or click here for the business sign up page.

To follow Essex Coronavirus Action on Facebook, click here.