Northampton medical practice texts all patients not to see them if they believe they have coronavirus

A Northampton medical practice has texted all its patients not to visit them if they suspect they have coronavirus.

Maple Access Surgery messaged everyone on its register last night telling them not to come to their offices with symptoms like coughs, a sore throat or difficulty breathing.

They instead asked anyone with concerns to call 111.

The message sent last night reads: "There are now five cases of Coronavirus in the UK.

"If you have a cough, sore throat, difficulty breathing fever or runny nose and you could have been in contact with someone who has recently been to Mainland China, Hong Kong, Japan, Macau, Malaysia, Republic of Korea, Singapore, Taiwan or Thailand please DO NOT [sic] attend the practice.

"Please call 111 instead.

"Many thanks, Maple Access."

The advice is in line with guidance being issued by the NHS, who are also advising anyone who has recently travelled to Asia to remain indoors.

It comes after a Northamptonshire practice closed one of its buildings this week while it dealt with "a potential coronavirus incident".