WORRIES over the Coronavirus has hit Romsey and Southampton yesterday after a GP surgery was forced to close.

A GP surgery in Romsey was shut yesterday over worries of the coronavirus.

The Nightingale Site of Abbeywell Surgery in Romsey closed yesterday “due to a potential infection”.

A spokesperson for the surgery confirmed to the Daily Echo that the closure was due to worries over the coronavirus.

It was originally thought the surgery could also be shut today.

However, now, a spokesperson from the NHS West Hampshire Clinical Commissioning Group said it will re open today.

A spokesperson from NHS West Hampshire Clinical Commissioning Group, said: “The Nightingale site of Abbeywell Surgery is temporarily closed to enable a clean of the surgery as a routine precautionary measure.

“The practice will reopen as soon as it is safe to do so, and patients will be advised if their appointment need to be re-arranged.

“We apologise for any inconvenience caused.

“Safety is our priority and we have been working with public health teams to ensure there is no risk to staff and patients.

“Patients with routine appointments are being called by the doctor to discuss. If they need to be seen by a GP they are being referred to the Abbey Mead site of Abbeywell Surgery.”

Daily Echo:

Councillor Nick Adams-King, borough councillor for Blackwater, said: “While the coronavirus would appear not to be dangerous for around 80% of us, we must think of those who would be vulnerable to it.

“If you are concerned you may have been infected, please follow the NHS advice.”

“Isolate yourself. Call 111 and follow their instructions.

“Definitely don’t visit your doctor’s surgery or A&E, please remember those locations are where you are most likely to infect those who might be most at risk from the infection.”

The Romsey School also issued a warning to parents over fears of the coronavirus, or Covid-19.

It has confirmed in an official statement that some students have gone home as a “precautionary measure”.

Though it is not known whether any members of staff or students have got the virus.

An official statement said: “There have been no known cases of any member of the school community having the coronavirus.

“Any pupils who have gone home have done so as a precautionary measure.”

“We do want to reassure parents and pupils that the school is a safe place to be and we are monitoring the situation closely.”

The Romsey School has been contacted for comment.

Daily Echo:

Staff at Southampton General Hospital have been told to shave to help limit the spread of coronavirus, it has been reported.

The news comes as cases of the condition were confirmed in Liverpool and London, bringing the total number of UK cases to 15.

Ministers have said they expect more cases to emerge, and in Italy more than 400 people have been confirmed to have coronavirus.

A spokesperson for Southampton Hospital told the Daily Echo there are no confirmed cases of Coronavirus in the hospital, Hampshire or the Isle of Wight.