A PHARMACY in north Herefordshire has been forced to close after a staff member tested positive for coronavirus.

Kington Pharmacy in High Street will now be deep cleaned over the weekend and it's expected to reopen on Monday, the NHS said.

Despite the coronavirus case amongst the pharmacy's workforce, NHS England said the risk to patients was low, but anyone needing to visit a pharmacy over the weekend may have to make the 14-mile trip to Leominster.

"Kington pharmacy has temporarily closed due to a staff member being tested positive for Covid," a spokesperson for NHS England and NHS Improvement said.

"The pharmacy was operating strict social distancing procedures as well as using screens between staff and patients. The risk of infection to customers is therefore low and we anticipate the pharmacy will reopen on Monday, following a deep clean over the weekend.

"The nearest local pharmacies for people who need prescriptions over the weekend are Boots and Westfield Walk Pharmacy in Leominster – approximately 14 miles away, 25 minutes by car. Information about local pharmacy opening times is available at www.nhs.uk/service-search/find-a-pharmacy.

"Alternatively vulnerable, shielded patients or those who cannot travel can access prescriptions via the neighbouring GP practice."

Chiefs at the town's medical centre in Eardisley Road provided an update to its patients on Facebook.

A spokesperson said: "In light of Kington Pharmacy having to temporarily close, if you are in need of a urgent prescription and the medication is included on our urgent medicines list and we hold it in stock we may be able to dispense it from the practice.

"If it is a routine prescription that you require for the weekend you can contact our dispensary and we can send it electronically to a different pharmacy of your choice (if your choice is in England).

"If you want to collect from a pharmacy in Wales, you will need to contact us as soon as possible to arrange to pick up a paper prescription after 3pm today (Friday)."