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British nationals anticipated to return on a government-organised flight to bring UK citizens back from coronavirus-hit Wuhan are expected to be quarantined in Wirral(Image: PA)

Coronavirus confirmed in UK as patients tested positive

Two patients - members of the same family - have tested positive for the illness

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UK patients tested positive for coronavirus

The UK has its first confirmed cases of coronavirus, the Department of Health has revealed.

Two patients - members of the same family - have tested positive for the illness.

The Department of Health would not say which part of the country the patients are from, but confirmed they are not on Wirral.

They are receiving specialist NHS care.

It has not been confirmed where they are receiving treatment.

The news comes as a flight containing around 100 passengers evacuated from Wuhan, the Chinese city at the centre of the outbreak, is set to land in the UK.

It will arrive at RAF airbase Brize Norton, in Oxfordshire, and the passengers will be transported to an accommodation site at Arrowe Park, on Wirral.

They will be held in quarantine for up to two weeks.

Anyone with possible symptons will be treated at the Royal Liverpool Hospital, which has a specialist unit for infectious diseases.

It has not been confirmed whether the patients that have tested positive in the UK will be transferred to The Royal.

In a statement released this morning, Professor Chris Whitty, Chief Medical Officer for England 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.”