Two members of the same family have been detected as the first coronavirus cases in the UK.
The chief medical officer for England, Professor Chris Whitty, said in a statement that the NHS is well-prepared for this outcome: “We can confirm that two patients in England, who are members of the same family, have tested positive for coronavirus. The patients are receiving specialist NHS care, and we are using tried and tested infection control procedures to prevent further spread of the virus.
He continued to say: “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 Organization and the international community as the outbreak in China develops to ensure we are ready for all eventualities.”
The patients are currently being treated in a unit in Newcastle and will be quarantined for 14 days.
Airlines have began to suspend their flights to and from China amid the spread of the Coronavirus, including British Airways and Finnair.
Other countries such as India, Thailand and Russia have received their first cases of the virus and are treating the patients in hospitals and special facilities.