THE Okehampton area was on alert this week as the coronavirus outbreak crept closer with more confirmed cases of the virus in Devon.

England’s chief medical officer Professor Keith Whitty confirmed on Monday that two residents from south Devon had contracted the virus while in northern Italy and since then another 18 people have tested positive for the disease in the county.

And as the number of deaths in the UK from the virus reached six on Tuesday — with 373 confirmed cases — government body Public Health England stepped up its response, rolling out diagnostic tests for coronavirus to 12 clinics across the country allowing 1,000 people to be tested a day.

Meanwhile, eyewitnesses in West Devon stores reported shelves bare of antibacterial wash, soap and paracetamol as people stocked up on essentials to stop the virus spreading.

A staff member at Waitrose in Okehampton reported that sales had risen by a third across the board.

‘We will probably sell out of a number of lines,’ he said. ‘Customers are saying they are not panic buying but sales are up by 33 per cent of what we’d typically sell. Obviously we are doing our best to supply that. It is as busy as Christmas but we have not got the staff that we have at Christmas.’

Many organisations were making contingency plans for their staff to work at home if an outbreak escalated.

A Devon County Council spokesperson said: ‘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 council is monitoring the situation closely and coordinating with Public Health England. We are taking all possible steps to keep you safe.’

Hazel Fox, vice CEO of the Dartmoor Multi Academy Trust, said: ‘We would like to assure parents that we are monitoring the situation closely and are following daily advice from the Department for Education and Public Health England.

‘All of our schools have increased pupils’ awareness of the need to undertake hand-washing in line with national guidance. As a trust we have ensured that there are ample supplies of soap and hand sanitisers in our schools and colleges.’

She urged parents to talk to their child’s school if concerned.

Okehampton College principal Derrick Brett said: ‘As the situation develops over the coming days and weeks, we will continue to follow the guidelines given to us by Public Health England, the Department for Education and local authorities,’ he said.

‘We receive regular notifications from the authorities regarding the status of the virus and the impact it is having. We will communicate any updates or developments as they arise.’

Meanwhile Okehampton Medical Centre has asked patients not to stockpile medicines.

Senior partner Dr Tim Watson said the practice ‘would like to reassure our patients that we are preparing for coronavirus in line with NHS/Public Health England general practice guidance, which is being updated and sent to us daily’.

‘We have added messages to our online and automated telephone booking systems, website www.okehamptonmedicalcentre.co.uk, Facebook page, waiting room information screens and are displaying posters around the practice advising patients where to find the latest information and guidance about coronavirus, not to come in if they are at risk and to frequently wash their hands for 20 seconds to prevent infection.’

‘We are screening patients, not bringing them in if at risk of coronavirus and encouraging patients to use NHS 111 online in the first instance or to ring NHS 111 if they are at risk. We will continue to monitor the situation for any change and update our public information messages and practice protocols accordingly.’

Sheepwash Community Shop and Post Office was offering to deliver orders of shopping to any customers who found themselves having to self-isolate.

Meanwhile folk music group Gidsong have cancelled their event at Gidleigh Village Hall next Tuesday (March 17).

‘We have tried singing with facemasks but the sound is simply not the same and the antibacterial handwash tends to make the guitar strings rust,’ posted Bill Murray from the group. ‘Please let all of our friends know.’