Hertfordshire County Council has explained why it will not reveal where there are confirmed cases of coronavirus.

So far three cases of Covid-19 have been confirmed in the county, but their location was not revealed by the county council.

The county council says this is because Public Health England and the NHS are in control of such information - and that releasing the information anyway would be "fairly pointless".

In an FAQ published on the website today, the county council said: "The NHS and Public Health England are in control of this information, not the County Council. They do not release information on patients because of the laws and duties on the rights of patients to confidentiality.

"Giving locations wouldn’t help anyway – you cant see the virus and there are people with the virus in many places so telling you locations is fairly pointless.

"Knowing may lull you into complacency about people you don’t know and won't protect you."

However, the whereabouts of the confirmed cases in the county are known.

This is because Davenport House surgery in Harpenden confirmed in a statement online a patient has been diagnosed with coronavirus, while Peartree Spring Primary School in Stevenage sent a message to all parents explaining that a parent at the school tested positive for the virus.

Woolgrove School Special Needs Academy in Letchworth also confirmed that a parent at the school had tested positive for coronavirus.

Yesterday morning East and North Hertfordshire Trust NHS released a statement that a clinician at Mount Vernon Cancer Centre, Northwood, had tested positive for coronavirus.

However, the trust has since given an update which says the test is now negative.

The county council says the only way to prevent catching the virus is to "protect yourself through hygiene".

It said: "Always carry tissues with you and use them to catch your cough or sneeze. Then bin the tissue, and wash your hands, or use a sanitiser gel.

"Wash your hands often with soap and water, especially after using public transport. Use a sanitiser gel if soap and water are not available.

"DO NOT touch your eyes, nose and mouth with unwashed hands.

"Avoid close contact with people who are unwell."