First two cases of deadly coronavirus confirmed in UK

Both patients are currently "receiving specialist NHS care" after they tested positive for the virus.

Two members of the same family have tested positive for the deadly coronavirus in the UK.

The first cases of the virus to be diagnosed in the country were announced as more than 80 Brits on an evacuation flight from the Chinese city at the centre of the outbreak were due to land in the UK.

Officials confirmed that both patients were tested positive in England, but the Department of Health declined to say where they are from.

It is understood they are not in the Wirral, Merseyside, where a special facility has been set up to quarantine those returning from Wuhan.

In a statement, chief medical officer Professor Chris Whitty said: "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 Organisation and the international community as the outbreak in China develops to ensure we are ready for all eventualities."