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A number of patients at Yeovil Hospital have tested positive for coronavirus, the NHS has confirmed.

Somerset Live understands that several people have tested positive for the virus and are being treated at the hospital, including a 54-year-old man that is being cared for in its critical care unit.

It is unclear exactly how many people are being treated, although the number of confirmed cases in the Somerset local authority area, in which Yeovil Hospital is located, stands at 15.

The condition of anyone being treated for coronavirus at the hospital is also unknown at this time.

The NHS has also confirmed that a number of people are being treated for coronavirus at Musgrove Park Hospital in Taunton.

A spokesman for the NHS said: “We can confirm that at Yeovil Hospital we are caring for patients with symptoms of the coronavirus, including a low number of patients who have tested positive for COVID-19.

“These patients are receiving care in dedicated areas within the hospital, following national guidance.

"We have extensive plans in place to meet the needs of this evolving situation and continue to provide safe care as a priority for all our patients.

“We would like to take this opportunity to thank the public for their support, which we have seen in a variety of ways.

“The best way individuals can support us right now is to continue to play their part in protecting our local community, following government advice to stay home and limiting leaving the house to essential journeys only.”

Yeovil Hospital has also stopped all routine visits to patients unless in exceptional circumstances as it looks to prevent coronavirus from spreading.

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As of today (Tuesday, March 24), visits will only be allowed to be made to the following patients:

Those receiving end of life care

Those under the age of 18 (limited to one parent or guardian only)

Those who need visits for safety or security (such as dementia patients or those with learning disabilities where anxiety is increased)

A spokesman for Yeovil Hospital said: “These restrictions will be enforced to reduce the risk to patients, staff and any visitors and to maintain the government’s direction on social isolation.”

The number of confirmed coronavirus cases across the UK rose to 6,650 yesterday, a rise of almost one thousand on the previous day, while 335 patients have now died after testing positive for COVID-19.

Follow our live blog for all of the latest local and national coronavirus news as the UK endures its first day of lockdown.