First two coronavirus cases in the UK confirmed by health officials

The Department of Health declined to say where in England the two coronavirus patients were from

The first two cases of coronavirus in the UK have been confirmed by health officials.

Two patients in England, who are members of the same family, have tested positive for the flu-like virus, the chief medical officer for England has said.

A statement from  Professor Chris Whitty said: "We can confirm that two patients in England, who are members of the same family, have tested positive for coronavirus.

"The patients are receiving specialist NHS care, and we are using tried and tested infection control procedures to prevent further spread of the virus.

"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.

"We are continuing to work closely with the World Health Organization and the international community as the outbreak in China develops to ensure we are ready for all eventualities."

The Department of Health declined to say where in England the two coronavirus patients were from but it is understood they are not in the Wirral area, where a special facility has been set up to quarantine Britons evacuated from Wuhan, in China.

Yesterday, the Staycity Hotel in the centre of York was put on lockdown after a man was taken to hospital after falling ill.

A delayed flight carrying 83 Britons and 27 foreign nationals from the Chinese city is due to land at RAF Brize Norton at lunchtime.

The death toll in China, where the outbreak began, now stands at 213 while the number of confirmed infections has grown to almost 9,100.

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