MORE frontline staff in Bury will be tested for coronavirus, a health commissioner has revealed.

A total of nine clinicians who have had symptoms of Covid-19 have been tested so far.

Dr Jeff Schryer, chairman of Bury clinical commissioning group (CCG), wants more frontline staff with coronavirus symptoms to be tested so that they can go back to work as soon as possible.

He said: “We’ve started to begin testing our primary care staff and social staff who had symptoms.

“Nine clinicians were tested to see whether they had Covid or not. We’re hoping that we’ll ramp up quite quickly.

“We are aware of some of our clinical colleagues who are poorly and our thoughts and hearts go out to them. Unfortunately, this will have to be something we have to cope with over the next few months.”

This comes after a carer who worked in Bury died after she was suspected to have been infected with coronavirus.

Carol Jamabo, 56, is believed to be the first care worker to be identified publicly after dying of the virus.

Dr Schryer paid tribute to the carer, who worked at Cherish Elderly Care.

He said: “My thoughts and prayers go out to the family. It underlines the tremendous commitment from our carers in both health and social care.”

Council leader Cllr David Jones added: “This is something we will have to face up to. Carers are on the front line. That’s why we have to stay at home, protect the NHS and save lives. That’s the message that needs to be really driven home.”