THE NUMBER of confirmed COVID-19 cases increased to 99 across Surrey and Hampshire on Tuesday, according to the latest Public Health England statistics.

It comes after an additional 407 cases were confirmed, taking the total to 1,950 people across the UK.

The outbreak has had far-reaching consequences across the area, as the government has urged vulnerable members of the public to reduce social interaction, with a possible 12-week isolation period for those over 70.

And while schools are currently advised to continue as normal, some are being forced to close because of dwindling staff numbers.

Farnham Heath End School (FHES) was forced to send home 140 students because of staff absences, while the entire Year 9 group at Bohunt School in Liphook was also sent home.

In a statement from FHES, the school confirmed it had cancelled all events, such as the school production and parents’ evenings, because of government guidance.

GP practices across the area are also being encouraged to move to online or telephone consulting wherever possible, to minimise footfall and protect staff and patients.

Jenny Partridge, practice manager at Farnham Dene Medical Practice, told the Herald: “Each practice is managing this slightly differently. At Farnham Dene we are using online consulting for all patients requesting a routine GP appointment. This is triaged and then dealt with by the GP either by text or phone, or a face-to- face appointment if needed.

“The key message to patients is don’t come to a GP practice if you have any symptoms of coronavirus – a high temperature of 37.8 degrees Centigrade or higher or a new continuous cough.”

Visiting at hospitals is also being restricted in response to the coronavirus outbreak. The Royal Surrey NHS Foundation Trust has introduced its own measures, including asking patients and families to identify one designated person to be their visitor and point of contact.

Jacqui Tingle, director of infection prevention and control at the trust, added the designated person should be the “sole point of contact with the ward and act as a messenger, updating friends and family”.

South Western Railway was also forced to cancel a number of trains “at very short notice” because of staff sickness, urging passengers to keep up to date on any cancellations through its website.