PATIENTS at Wellington Medical Centre who think they may have coronavirus should not go to the surgery, pharmacy or hospital.

Instead they should use the NHS 111’s online coronavirus service https://111.nhs.uk/covid-19 or call 111 if they need to speak to someone.

The same advice applies to those concerned they have been in close contact with someone with coronavirus or in the last 14 days they have been to a country or area with a high risk of coronavirus.

To avoid catching or spreading coronavirus patients are advised to:

Wash their hands with soap and water often – do so for at least 20 seconds

Always wash their hands when they get home or into work

Use hand sanitiser gel if soap and water are not available

Cover their mouth and nose with a tissue or their sleeve – not their hands – when they cough or sneeze

Put used tissues in the bin straight away and wash their hands afterwards

Try to avoid close contact with people who are unwell

Patients are advised not to touch their eyes, nose or mouth if their hands are not clean.

The surgery says patients should follow public health advice available on the NHS website https://www.nhs.uk/conditions/coronavirus-covid-19/ to avoid catching or spreading coronavirus.

The medical centre is following guidance produced by NHS England. The latest guidance can be found at https://www.england.nhs.uk/coronavirus/primary-care/. The surgery has contingency plans in place that comply with this guidance which it is reviewing and updating daily.