A FARNHAM GP surgery has been shut down "as a precautionary measure" after a patient was found to have recently travelled to one of the affected coronavirus areas.

The Ferns Medical Practice, at the Farnham Centre for Health in Hale Road, confirmed online that the patient was seen at the practice on Wednesday (February 12).

It added in a statement: "As a precautionary measure, the practice has been closed today, February 12, for a deep clean before opening again as soon as possible.

"We have been working with our public health teams and would like to inform our patients that all measures are being put in place to assure public and staff safety."

The practice has also published an appeal on its website, calling for anyone who has developed a cough or shortness of breath, or has a fever and have returned from China/Asia, or been in contact with anyone that has come from China/Asia in the last 14 days, to not visit the surgery, but:

• Stay indoors and avoid contact with other people as you would with the flu

• Call NHS 111 to inform them of your recent travel to the country.

The rest of the Farnham Centre for Health is believed to be unaffected.

It comes as a ninth case of the virus was confirmed in the UK on Thursday.

According to the BBC, a woman who flew into London from China a few days ago is being treated for coronavirus, bringing the total number of UK cases to nine.

Chief medical officer Chris Whitty said the woman was transferred to a specialist NHS centre at Guy’s and St Thomas’ in central London.

Prof Whitty said the patient had contracted the virus in China.

Sources say she developed symptoms after landing at Heathrow, called NHS 111 and then tested positive.

Prof Paul Cosford, from Public Health England, earlier told the BBC that more UK cases were "highly likely".

More information is available at https://www.fernsmedical.co.uk/Coronavirus-Information and gov.uk/coronavirus