A FURTHER seven cases of the coronavirus have been confirmed in the south west, taking the UK total up to 163.

The south west now has 22 cases, the third highest in England.

London has 29 confirmed cases, the south east has 24, north west 21, north east and Yorkshire has 13, the midlands has 12 and the east of England has 11.

There are still 15 cases to have their location determined.

More than 20,000 people have now been tested in the UK and just one patient who tested positive has died.

Public Health Dorset confirmed there is still no confirmed case in Dorset.

Shore Medical, the group responsible for a number of practices in the area, have temporarily suspended walk-in surgeries in line with NHS guidance, however operations manager Rob Braid said patients still have full access to the surgery.

Shore Medical is responsible for Heatherview Medical Centre, Lilliput Surgery, Parkstone Health Centre, Poole Road Medical Centre and Wessex Road Surgery.

Nationally, the department of health and social care has expanded its public information campaign which focusses on handwashing.

The campaign states that you should wash your hands when you get to work and arrive home, after you blow your nose, cough or sneeze and before you eat or handle food.

Health and social care secretary Matt Hancock said: “The UK is a world-leader in preparing for and managing disease outbreaks and I have every confidence in our nation’s ability to respond to the threat of COVID-19.

“We all have a role to play in stopping this disease and that’s what this expanded campaign is all about – making sure the public knows exactly what they should be doing to keep themselves and others safe. Washing hands regularly is the single most important thing that an individual can do.

“Public safety remains our top priority. The government and the NHS are working 24/7 to fight this virus. It’s imperative that everyone follows clinical advice by contacting NHS 111, and not going to A&E if you develop symptoms.”