A FATHER who been told to stay at home with flu-like symptoms is worried about how he will afford to provide for his two children and disabled wife.

Matthew Scales, was told by his bosses at plastics company J and A Kay in Darwen to go home after he was diagnosed with a high temperature and a cough on Thursday.

However the 42-year-old father-of-two, is concerned he will not be able to provide for his family if he is kept away from work for a period of time.

Mr Scales, originally from Hertfordshire, said he will be missing out on £250 a week if he is only able to get the statutory sick pay of £94 a week.

He said: "My wife, Sue, relies on my income as she is disabled and cannot work.

"I have two children, one 14 and one 17, who have to get buses to college and rely on us for food.

"There's also bills to pay for and other costs and I'm really worried about how I'm going to be able to afford them."

Mr Scales, who used to be a full-time carer for his wife, who suffers with fibromyalgia, sacroiliac joint dysfunction and other conditions, is having to use up his holiday lieu days so he can still gain his full pay.

He said: "If my temperature doesn't come down then I will be in trouble.

"I want to go back to work, I feel fit enough to work.

"I'd like to make it clear my work has been great and really polite with me and I fully understand they are following guidelines the government have issued surrounding coronavirus.

"I don't have a problem with them, I have a problem with the government and the fact we all don't know what to do.

"It took me several days to get through to someone on NHS 111, but they couldn't help me with getting tested, they could only tell me the government's advice.

"I'm not annoyed with the person I spoke to as its not their fault either, the whole plan around this has left people wondering what to do."

As of Monday morning there were nine confirmed cases in Lancashire.

No cases have been confirmed in Blackburn with Darwen.

The Department of Health said 14 more patients have died in England after testing positive for Covid-19. This follows the 10 deaths announced on Saturday.

A total of 34 people have died from the virus in England, while there has been one death in Scotland.

There have been a total of 1,372 positive tests for coronavirus in the UK as of 9am on Sunday, up from 1,140 at the same time on Saturday, the DoH said.

On Public Health England's website, a spokesman said: "The most common symptoms of coronavirus (COVID-19) are new continuous cough and or high temperature.

"For most people, coronavirus will be a mild infection.

"If you have symptoms of coronavirus infection, however mild, do not leave your home for seven days from when your symptoms started, this action will help protect others in your community while you are infectious plan ahead and ask others for help to ensure that you can successfully stay at home.

"Ask your employer, friends and family to help you get the things you need to stay at home.

"Stay at least two metres, about three steps, away from other people in your home if possible.

"Sleep alone, if possible.

"Wash your hands regularly for 20 seconds, each time using soap and water, or use hand sanitiser."