A London GP practice has just closed due to coronavirus, becoming the ninth to do so in England.
Ritchie Street Neighbourhood Health Centre in Angel, Islington, announced today that it will be closed until tomorrow (14th February) due to the potentially fatal virus.
A notice on its site is adding that ‘any patients that have the symptoms should call 111 and not come to the practice’.
Last night, London’s first coronavirus case was confirmed. A Chinese national who arrived at Heathrow from China over the weekend is now receiving specialist treatment at Guys’ and Thomas Hospital, following reports that she walked into Lewisham A&E on Sunday.
Across England, which currently has nine confirmed cases of the globally-spreading virus, eight other GP practices have closed for this reason.
In Brighton, described as the country’s coronavirus epicentre, The Avenue Surgery; Carden and Warmdene surgeries within County Oak Medical Centre; and Haven Practice, have closed. Nearby Seaford Medical Centre also closed briefly on Friday for ‘health and safety’ reasons.
Boundary House GP Surgery in Bracknell, Berkshire; New Pond Row Surgery also in Sussex; and Brackley Medical Centre in Northamptonshire also closed.
Meanwhile, GPs are claiming that NHS 111 is directing patients with flu-like symptoms to consult their GP, without asking whether they have travelled from regions worst-affected by coronavirus.
