Coronavirus Portsmouth: Everything we know so far as Portsmouth GP surgery is shut 'due to coronavirus'

It comes as the deadly disease continues to spread around the globe following the outbreak in the city of Wuhan in China.

There have been nine confirmed cases of coronavirus in the UK so far.

However a GP practice in Portsmouth has now been shut due to a suspected case of the disease.

Here’s everything we know so far:

Which doctor’s surgery has been closed?

Kingston Crescent Surgery in North End has been shut until further notice, it has been announced.

Portsdown Group Practice published a statement on its website saying: ‘Due to coronavirus our Kingston Crescent Surgery is closed for deep cleaning until further notice.’

A patient waiting for an appointment this afternoon told The News that all patients were ordered out of the surgery due to an ‘emergency’.

When did the surgery shut?

Patients were told to leave Kingston Crescent Surgery at around 4.30pm today and it is now shut until further notice.

Doctor speaks out after surgery is closed

Speaking to The News earlier this evening, Dr Sarah Swindells said that the situation is changing ‘minute by minute’.

She said: 'We have closed with a suspected case of coronavirus.

‘We're following Public Health England guidance and are in contact with them and NHS England.’

What do we know about the suspected case?

A patient, who is suspected to have coronarvirus, is a woman.

She walked into the surgery earlier today – which has sparked the closure of the North End practice for deep cleaning.

The woman is also said to have come from Gatwick Airport.

She is also said to have ‘ticked all the boxes’ for a potential case of coronavirus.

What are the symptoms of coronavirus?

Officially named Covid-19, the NHS say the main symptoms to look out for are:

- a cough

- a high temperature

- shortness of breath

What should you do if you suspect you have coronavirus?

NHS are urging people who think they may have a case of the disease to NOT go to their GP or to the hospital.

Instead you should call 111 stay indoors and avoid close contact with other people.

Has the government been made aware?

Portsmouth North MP Penny Mordaunt told The News that she had informed the health secretary, Matt Hancock, of the situation.

Ms Mordaunt said residents needed to ‘focus on what we can each do to reduce risk’.

Mr Hancock served as Minister for Portsmouth between 2014 and 2015.

How did residents react?

Residents who live in the area around the surgery have said they feel ‘left in the dark’.

Speaking following the closure of Kingston Crescent Surgery Maxine Ryan, a hairdresser from North End said she is worried about the spread of the disease.

She explained: ‘I want more information – I have felt a bit left int he dark about it.’

Pharmacy worker explains how 'emergency' was declared

Sarah Stanhope is a technician at Rowlands Pharmacy, which is connected to the surgery.

She said: ‘At about 4.45pm a receptionist from the surgery told us we needed to close the shutters to the surgery.

‘They said it was an emergency - and we weren’t told anything else.

‘Our head office had to call up NHS England to find out what was going on.’

Are you concerned about the spread of coronavirus? Let us know in the comments below.