First coronavirus case reported in London
The first case of coronavirus has been confirmed in London, according to reports.
The patient is reportedly a woman and contracted the virus in China. She has been transferred to Guy’s and St Thomas’ hospital.
The BBC reported that the patient developed symptoms of coronavirus after landing at Heathrow, called NHS 111 and then tested postive for the disease.
“One further patient in England has tested positive for novel coronavirus (COVID-19), bringing the total number of cases in the UK to nine,” chief medical officer Chris Whitty said, the Guardian reported.
“This virus was passed on in China and the patient has now been transferred to a specialist NHS centre at Guy’s and St Thomas’ in London.”
The number of confirmed cases in the UK has now reached nine.
All 83 people that were quarantined at Arrow Park Hospital in the Wirral have tested negative for the virus and will leave isolation tomorrow morning, after 14 days at the facility.
Earlier today businessman Steve Walsh, who contracted the illness on a work visit to Singapore before passing it to others on a skiing trip in France, left Guys and St Thomas’ hospital. The NHS said he is no longer contageous.
It also emerged that an A&E doctor at Worthing Hospital in West Sussex was among the confirmed cases of coronavirus in the UK.
The World Health Organization (WHO) named the new strain of coronavirus Covid-19 yesterday.
Total cases of coronavirus in China have risen to 44,653, health officials said, including 2,015 new confirmed cases. Markets took heart from the number, with it being the lowest daily rise since 30 January.
More to follow