It is feared that the new deadly Coronavirus may have entered the UK after two people who are believed to have flown to London from Wuhan were taken to hospital with flu-like symptoms.
Some of the symptoms of coronavirus include fever, difficulty breathing, and a cough. The Sun UK reports that two patients have been admitted to a hospital in London with similar symptoms.
Public Health England announced that the current threat to the UK has been changed from “very low” to “low”, with the Department of Health announcing a series of precautionary measures at airports.
Health Secretary Matt Hancock has said there is an “increased likelihood” of cases of the new coronavirus occurring in the UK. However, he said there were no confirmed cases of the virus in the UK. He added that the country was “well prepared and well equipped to deal with them”.
The UK is monitoring flights arriving from China as a precaution.
In a statement to the House of Commons, Mr Hancock said that it was a “rapidly developing situation and the number of deaths and the number of cases is likely to be higher than those that have been confirmed so far and I expect them to rise further”.
He told MPs: “The chief medical officer has revised the risk to the UK population from ‘very low’ to ‘low’ and has concluded that while there is an increased likelihood that cases may arise in this country, we are well prepared and well equipped to deal with them.”
He added: “The UK is one of the first countries to have developed a world-leading test for the new coronavirus.
“The NHS is ready to respond appropriately to any cases that emerge.”
Meanwhile, two police stations in Bristol were placed on lockdown at around 7pm on Wednesday evening over fears that a detained Chinese national was carrying the deadly virus. The Patchway Police Centre and the Trinity Road police station in Bristol were placed under quarantine on the guidance of the NHS after the detainee was said to display ‘flu-like’ symptoms.
In a statement, Avon and Somerset Police said: “Following precautionary advice from the NHS and health practitioners, Patchwork Police Centre was temporarily closed.
“As well as the officers and members of police staff, there was one member of the public at the Trinity Road police station, who was asked to remain in the building a a precaution, while we sought further advice.”
“Following expert advice from Public Health England, it was established this was not a case of the much-publicised coronavirus and both stations were fully reopened, at just after midnight.
“The detainee has been given appropriate medical attention and remains in custody at this time.”
Avon and Somerset Police said following consultation with Public Health England, it was determined the detainee did not have the Coronavirus.
The force reassured Britons there is “no risk to the public”.
