It was a year ago today that a ward was evacuated at Watford General Hospital after their first patient tested positive for Covid-19.

This time last year, the Watford Observer broke the news that the first known patient in Watford General Hospital tested positive for Covid-19.

A source had originally informed the Watford Observer that a part of the hospital was evacuated the night before (March 5, 2020) when it was discovered there was a case of coronavirus.

West Herts Hospitals NHS Trust then confirmed in a statement dated March 6, that a positive case of Covid-19 was identified.

Our original reports shows the trust said: "It has been confirmed that a positive case of Covid-19 (Coronavirus) has been identified on one of our inpatient wards at Watford General Hospital.

"As a result, all of the patients who were on the same ward have been moved and a deep clean, which will be carried out in line with strict guidance from Public Health England, is being carried out.

"An extensive ‘contact tracing’ exercise is now underway to trace anyone who might have had close (face to face) contact with the patient who has now tested positive for Covid-19."

The trust told employees that an infection was “not unexpected”, adding they trust staff to “remain calm” and “work together” to meet this challenge.

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A source told the Observer nurses the night before were told to self-isolate, with the trust's message adding that colleagues from the ward affected are now self-isolating.

The source added that the ward was left completely empty and went through a deep clean procedure.

The trust added: "Close contacts to the patient concerned will be given health advice about symptoms and emergency contact details to use if they become unwell in the 14 days after they had contact with the confirmed case.

"This tried and tested method will ensure that any risk to them is minimised and the wider public is protected.

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

The Watford Observer had also seen a short video clip of a person in a white protective suit and mask hosing down an ambulance in Watford, but we confirmed this did not take place at Watford General.

On March 5, neighbouring hospital Northwick Park Hospital in Harrow also confirmed their first Covid-19 case.

At that point, the Department of Health confirmed there were 163 confirmed cases of Covid-19 in the UK, with at least one death related to the virus.

A patient aged in their 70s with underlying health issues died, the Royal Berkshire Hospital in Reading confirmed.