A DRIVE-through coronavirus testing site has been set up in Tavistock, it was announced on Monday.

The news was confirmed after people were seen ‘panic buying’ hygiene supplies from Tavistock’s supermarkets as cases were confirmed in the South West area.

The ‘referral only drive-through swabbing centre’, set up by Livewell Southwest, will be based at Tavistock Hospital. Anyone who believes they may have the virus cannot self-refer or arrive for testing without authorisation through NHS 111 protocols.

Those referred to the centre will arrive in their own car and will not enter any buildings. Patients will be swabbed outside by specially trained nurses, under a purpose built awning and samples will be collected by the community testing service using a standardised process.

Livewell Southwest said it was working with healthcare partners across Devon to ensure a collaborative response to coronavirus across the system.

A Livewell spokesperson said: ‘No Livewell Southwest site has emergency services and as such the following cases will not be seen by the service and will be re-directed to emergency departments — cases who are clinically unwell, cases aged under 16 years and cases known to be pregnant.

‘Residents who cannot drive are being visited in their own home to have their tests.’

As the Times went to press the Government had announced that 26,261 people had been tested in the UK, of which 25,888 were confirmed negative and 373 were confirmed as positive. Six patients who tested positive for coronavirus have died.

There are 41 confirmed cases in the South West, with 20 in Devon and four in Cornwall.

Typical symptoms of coronavirus include fever and a cough that may progress to a severe pneumonia causing shortness of breath and breathing difficulties.

Generally, coronavirus can cause more severe symptoms in people with weakened immune systems, older people, and those with long-term conditions like diabetes, cancer and chronic lung disease.

For more information visit NHS online at 111.nhs.uk

Schools and businesses in Tavistock and the surrounding area have contingency plans in place should there be any confirmed cases locally.

Some students have already been affected by school closures in Plymouth — Tavistock students who travel to City College Plymouth were sent home on Monday after a fellow student was reported to have been exposed to the virus.

Fears surrounding the virus outbreak grew towards the end of last week and the weekend when shoppers were seen to stock up on hygiene and food supplies in case they had to spend two weeks at home in self-isolation — the advice from the Government for people who have or believe they have the virus.

Devon County Council advised: ‘We understand that our residents and visitors may have concerns about coronavirus.

‘We would like to reassure you that the Government and NHS are well prepared to deal with this virus.

‘The county council is monitoring the situation closely and co-ordinating with Public Health England.

We are taking all possible steps to keep you safe. Visit the NHS website for the latest information.’