A STUDENT from Bournemouth University, a staff member from Clarks in Poole, and a gym-goer at The Gym Poole have all contracted coronavirus, it’s been confirmed.

The student is currently self-isolating after tests showed they had the novel coronavirus COVID-19.

The university confirmed the person had come into contact with the virus through another individual in the UK but not at the university.

A statement from BU said: “The student followed Public Health England (PHE) advice and self-isolated pending the results of the test. We are supporting the student to ensure they have everything they need to recover quickly from the illness.

“PHE has advised that the risk to our students, staff and visitors remains low. The university remains open and continues to operate normally. We will continue to work with partners to ensure our response is aligned to national advice and guidance.

“We have been planning for instances of outbreak since January and are confident we are well prepared, and our first priority is to continue to support the student and anyone else who may feel concerned as a result of this news.

“We understand that staff and students may be concerned but remain confident that the university is a safe environment. We would ask you to refrain from speculation and unnecessary action at this time.”

Elsewhere, Clarks in the Dolphin Shopping Centre closed yesterday “until further notice” as a staff member tested positive for the virus.

A sign on the window read: “Due to unforeseen circumstances the store will be closed until further notice. Apologies for any inconvenience caused.” A spokesperson for Clarks said the store was undergoing a clean of all areas and expected to reopen today.

They said: “We can confirm that Clarks is currently taking advice from Public Health England regarding an individual at our Poole store.

“Following a period of self-quarantine, the employee has tested positive for Coronavirus, and is now receiving the appropriate care.

“Public Health England has advised that given the employee displayed no symptoms during their short time in store, that there is currently no concern for our store employees or customers.

“As a business we have introduced many measures to protect the health of both the public and employees in line with and in addition to current government advice.”

On Sunday evening, members at The Gym Poole, which operates from the Nuffield Industrial Estate, received an email stating that a customer had been ‘diagnosed with coronavirus’.

The email said: “Unfortunately, we have been made aware that a member of The Gym Poole has been diagnosed with the coronavirus. Your welfare is of the utmost priority to us, so we have taken the decision to close the gym temporarily.”

The Gym Group spokesperson said: “We can confirm that a member of The Gym Poole has tested positive for COVID-19. We take the health and safety of all our members and staff extremely seriously and the site has been closed with immediate effect whilst the necessary deep cleaning takes place.

“Staff and members of The Gym Poole have been informed. They have been advised to follow the advice of Public Health England and to call NHS 111 should they display any symptoms. We will provide further updates as soon as possible.”

Wareham Surgery temporarily closed yesterday afternoon “as a precautionary measure” amidst concerns of a suspected COVID-19 contact in the surgery.

The surgery announced in a Facebook post that they were closed and online booking was unavailable “during the coronavirus outbreak”.

The latest figures from PHE confirmed there were three confirmed cases in Dorset, 38 in the south west and 319 in the UK. Nationally, four people with the virus have died.