The first two cases of the novel coronavirus 2019-nCoV have been confirmed in the UK.
In a statement issued today (31 January 2020), the Chief Medical Office (CMO) for England, Professor Chris Whitty, announced that two members of the same family had tested positive for the virus.
As of 31 January, 177 UK tests had concluded, of which 175 were confirmed negative.
A total of 1,466 passengers and 95 staff arrived in the UK on direct flights from Wuhan between 10 and 24 January, before airport screening was introduced. One hundred and sixty-two of the passengers and 53 of the crew have already left the UK and an additional 866 are now outside of the incubation period. Public Health England (PHE) says it is working to contact the remaining passengers.
A team of public health experts has been established in Heathrow to support anyone arriving from China who feels unwell. China has also introduced port-of-exit screening so people already exhibiting symptoms are not allowed to leave the country.
PHE has published clinical guidelines and advice for the public. The Department of Health and Social Care will be publishing the latest data on a daily basis at 2pm.
