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Daily Mirror
Daily Mirror
National
Kelly-Ann Mills

GP surgery in Somerset closed down after suspected case of coronavirus

A GP surgery has been closed due to a suspected coronavirus outbreak.

French Weir Health Centre in Taunton, Somerset has been shut down today by Public Health England.

A doctor at the surgery has said the facility is undergoing a deep clean of all surfaces.

Speaking to the Somerset County Gazette, Dr Mike Smart said: "We have had a possible case of coronavirus.

"We have been advised by Public Health England and have temporarily closed the practice following their advice. 

"We are still helping patients via phone calls.

French Weir Health Centre is currently closed (Twitter)

"We have had a deep clean of all the possible infection areas, but at this stage coronavirus has not been confirmed."

Earlier in the week another GP practice was forced to close after a staff member tested positive for coronavirus.

Workers wearing protective suits and masks were doing a deep clean at the County Oak Medical Centre in Brighton.

It had emerged that four people in Brighton, including a male doctor, had caught the flu-like illness during a recent ski trip in the French Alps, doubling the total number of UK cases to eight.

Quarantine pods are now being set up in A&E departments across the country after the government ordered their installation.

People in China are having their temperatures checked (Barcroft Media via Getty Images)

Units have already been set up outside Royal Sussex County Hospital in Brighton - the epicentre of the outbreak in Britain.

Pods have also appeared at University Hospital of North Tees, University Hospital Hartlepool and Dorset County Hospital.

Health Minister Matt Hancock revealed new measures in recent days that give the government additional powers to fight the spread of the virus.

A statement from the health ministry said: "In accordance with Regulation 3, the Secretary of State declares that the incidence or transmission of novel coronavirus constitutes a serious and imminent threat to public health.

"The measures outlined in these regulations are considered as an effective means of delaying or preventing further transmission of the virus."

Regulation 3 refers to the control of patient information relating to 'communicable diseases' - diseases that can spread from one person to another.

It also declared Wuhan and Hubei province in China as an "infected area".

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