31/01/2020 14:58
Two coronavirus cases confirmed in UK
Two people from the same family have tested positive for coronavirus in the UK, the chief medical officer for England has announced.
They are being treated at a specialist centre in Newcastle after being taken there overnight.
At least 213 people in China have died from the virus, mostly in Hubei, with almost 10,000 cases nationally.
There have been 98 cases of the virus in another 18 countries.
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".