National coronavirus figures show no increase after possible sufferer spotted in Bradford on Avon practice

The man visited the Bradford on Avon Health Centre surgery on Monday morning, visibly suffering symptoms similar to coronavirus, and staff promptly locked the doors, treating the patient while reassuring other sick people there was no risk to their health and the surgery was taking the precautions advised by NHS England.

Today (Wednesday) official government figures showed that the number of confirmed coronavirus cases in the UK still stands at 13, with 6,795 people having been tested nationwide for the virus, up by 259 from the day before.

A Department of Health spokesman said: "We cannot comment on individual cases, but we publish daily figures of recent testings and the results.”

The Times believes this means it is most likely that the man from Bradford on Avon tested negative for coronavirus, although his condition is not known.

On Tuesday the health centre’s business manager Ellen Wilson told the Times: “We won’t be able to give any more details at this time due to patient confidentiality. If people would like any more information people can go the Department of Health and Social Care or NHS England.”

The surgery was closed for a while on Monday while the premises were deep cleaned following the incident, but then re-opened and have been open this week.

Official advice to medical professionals on how to deal with suspected coronavirus patients has been issued. In the past few days, some surgeries in Wiltshire have texted patients warning them not to come in to the GP if they feel unwell with flu-like symptoms like those of the coronavirus, but to stay at home and call NHS 111.

More information on what to do if you feel unwell with a cough, fever and shortness of breath and have recently returned from parts of northern Italy or South East Asia, or have been in contact with someone who has, can be found at www.gov.uk/coronavirus