Coronavirus: 2 cases confirmed in the UK

Two cases of the Wuhan coronavirus has been confirmed in the UK, the chief medical officer for England has announced.

The two cases of the coronavirus in the UK are both members of the same family who are now receiving specialist NHS care.

Details on their identity and where they are being treated have not been released.

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”.

According to BBC, 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.

Yesterday, WHO declared the outbreak a global emergency.

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