THE number of confirmed cases of coronavirus in Hampshire has increased to 41, according to the latest Public Health England (PHE) figures.

The county council area, which excludes Southampton and Portsmouth, had one of the highest numbers of COVID-19 cases across local authorities in England as of 9am on Saturday, March 14.

There remains no people confirmed with coronavirus in Southampton, according to PHE.

The daily update from the authorities said the number of cases across the UK had soared through the one thousand mark to a total of 1,140 cases, a five-fold increase from a week ago.

A total of 21 people with coronavirus have died in the UK.

On Thursday, prime minister Boris Johnson, joined by health and science chiefs at a press conference, confirmed the country had entered the second phase of its action plan to combat the virus – the delay phase.

The following day, all professional football in England was postponed until April and events set to take place the coming weeks have been axed.

University of Southampton brought its term to an end a week early, while cruise companies have cancelled trips.

University Hospital Southampton NHS Foundation Trust has told the public to only make "essential" visits to hospitals and birthing centre sites in an attempt to limit spread of the virus.

This includes Southampton General Hospital, Princess Anne Hospital, Southampton Children's Hospital, the Royal South Hants Hospital and the New Forest Birthing Centre at Ashurst.

The current government guidance in relation to coronavirus is that anyone who develops symptoms of a high temperature (37.8°C or above) and/or a new continuous cough should self-isolate for seven days from when their symptoms started.

Anyone who is self-isolating with mild symptoms will not be tested for the virus, the government has said.