Northern MP cancels engagements after attending conference with coronavirus patient

Alex Sobel, the Labour MP for Leeds North West, said he was assessed by medics after attending a Westminster conference last week

A northern MP has cancelled his public engagements after being told he attended a London conference that a patient with coronavirus was also at.

Alex Sobel, the Labour MP for Leeds North West, said he attended the UK bus summit in Westminster last week.

Earlier today, it was revealed that around 250 delegates were being traced and told by health officials that a patient now confirmed to have coronavirus was at the conference. 

Mr Sobel said he has not been suffering from any symptoms since returning home but called NHS 111 to be assessed.

He tweeted: “I attended the UK bus summit on the 6th Feb, where there was an attendee who has tested positive for coronavirus.

“Whilst I have been informed that I am at very low risk, I have called 111 to be formally assessed.”

A spokesman for Mr Sobel said he was not unwell and had no symptoms, but his public engagements have been cancelled until Wednesday.

A statement released by his office reads: "This morning, 14 February 2020, the office of Alex Sobel MP received a call from a journalist at ITV to inform us that the UK Bus summit event that Alex attended in Parliament on June 6th, was also attended by someone who has contracted coronavirus.

"As neither Public Health or the event organisers could confirm or deny whether Alex was in close proximity to the person, Alex decided to take reasonable action in the circumstances.

"The official advice in this circumstance is to self-isolate, call 111 and receive an assessment.

"As Alex is a public figure who comes into contact with many constituents, as a precaution he has cancelled all public engagements, including constituency surgeries until the 14-day incubation period is over.

"Alex has spent the afternoon in isolation in a room in his office away from staff. After receiving advice from 111 and being established as low risk, Alex will not remain in isolation, but will stay away from public engagements as a precautionary measure.

"To be absolutely clear, Alex has not been tested for coronavirus, only assessed by 111.

"Whilst Alex will stay away from public engagement, the office will remain open and Alex will remain contactable, casework will be completed as normal."

Those in attendance were from the nationwide bus and transport industry; with speakers including buses minister, Baroness Vere, the parliamentary under secretary of state transport, Nusrat Ghani, and various managing directors of bus firms.

For the latest updates on the outbreak, follow our coronavirus live blog here.

The news comes after a ninth patient was confirmed to have the virus in the UK.

The woman is a Chinese national and is now being treated at a specialist NHS centre at Guy’s and St Thomas’ in central London.

The Department of Health said on Thursday that 2,521 people in the UK have been tested, of whom 2,512 were confirmed negative and nine positive.

In China, the number of deaths from coronavirus has reached 1,380, with more than 63,000 recorded infections, in figures announced early on Friday morning.