Audio By Carbonatix
Two people have tested positive for coronavirus in the UK, the chief medical officer for England has announced.
They are both members of the same family and are receiving specialist NHS care.
No more details are being released about their identity or where they are being treated.
At least 213 people in the China have died from the virus, mostly in Hubei, with almost 10,000 cases nationally.
There have been 98 cases of the virus in another 18 countries.
Prof Chris Whitty, chief medical officer for England said: "The NHS is extremely well-prepared and used to managing infections and we are already working rapidly to identify any contacts the patients had, to prevent further spread.
"We have been preparing for UK cases of novel coronavirus and we have robust infection control measures in place to respond immediately," he added.
Prof Whitty said the UK was working closely with the World Health Organization (WHO) and the international community as the outbreak in China develops "to ensure we are ready for all eventualities".
The WHO declared the outbreak a global emergency yesterday.
At present, 83 Britons and 27 foreign nationals are flying back to the UK from Wuhan, the Chinese city at the centre of the outbreak.
The flight is due to land at RAF Brize Norton at 13:30 GMT.
The UK passengers will then be taken to Arrowe Park Hospital on the Wirral and quarantined for two weeks.
DISCLAIMER: The Views, Comments, Opinions, Contributions and Statements made by Readers and Contributors on this platform do not necessarily represent the views or policy of Multimedia Group Limited.
Tags:
DISCLAIMER: The Views, Comments, Opinions, Contributions and Statements made by Readers and Contributors on this platform do not necessarily represent the views or policy of Multimedia Group Limited.
Latest Stories
-
Minority alleges gov’t plot to divert attention from cocoa price cut debate
7 minutes -
Democracy Hub files court injunction to stop Ayawaso East by-election over vote-buying in NDC primary
10 minutes -
Afrimaas urges media to defend industry at World Radio Day summit
17 minutes -
Bawumia condemns killing of Ghanaian traders in Burkina Faso terror attack
21 minutes -
South African trio charged with Bolt driver’s murder filmed on dashcam
28 minutes -
HeFRA launches investigation into alleged refusal of emergency care leading to death of road traffic accident victim
31 minutes -
Maison Yusif Fragrance showcases Africa’s organic fragrance power at BIOFACH Germany
48 minutes -
GoldBod suspends gold buying licence applications amid regulatory reforms
49 minutes -
GoldBod suspends selected gold buying licence applications ahead of regulatory reforms
50 minutes -
Student death puts French far-left under pressure
52 minutes -
One song, one voice: How ‘Aha Y3’ stole the night at Awake Experience 2026
53 minutes -
SEC flags ‘Mekanism’ as illegal investment scam promising daily returns
57 minutes -
Awake Experience 2026 ends in frenzied praise as Diana Hamilton delivers electrifying performance
59 minutes -
Attack on Ghanaian traders: West Africa must fight terrorism shoulder-to-shoulder – Bombande
60 minutes -
Kenya sets the tone as Global Tourism Resilience Conference opens in Nairobi
1 hour
