Coronavirus: Recent travellers from Wuhan to UK told to self-isolate
Written by News on 28/01/2020
Anyone in the UK who has recently arrived from Wuhan – where the deadly coronavirus broke out – is now being urged to “self-isolate”.
Health Secretary Matt Hancock announced that any travellers who have returned from the Chinese city in the last two weeks should stay indoors, avoid contact with other people and contact the NHS 111 service.
They should also stay off public transport, although it is okay for friends and family to bring parcels or medicines.
Mr Hancock added that officials are still trying to trace 1,460 people who landed in the UK from the wider Hubei province.
He also admitted “we can’t be 100% certain” that the virus does not spread if an infected person has no symptoms.
So far 100 people have died in China’s Hubei province because of coronavirus, with 2,714 cases diagnosed and Beijing has warned its ability to spread is getting stronger.
Tests on 73 people for the virus in the UK have all come back negative so far.
Speaking in the House of Commons, Mr Hancock said: “If you develop respiratory symptoms within 14 days of travel from the area, and are now in the UK, call your GP or ring 111 informing them of your symptoms and your recent travel to the city.
“Do not leave your home until you have been given advice by a clinician.”
He continued: “I want to stress that the NHS remains well prepared.
“The NHS has expert teams in every ambulance service and a number of specialist hospital units with highly trained staff and equipment ready to receive and care for patients with any highly infectious disease including this one.”
The Foreign Office is working on repatriating Britons who are stranded in Hubei, Mr Hancock added, stressing he wanted “appropriate measures in place” to protect them and the wider public on their arrival.
A hub has also been set up by Public Health England at Heathrow Airport to meet all flights from China, the health secretary confirmed.
Dr Yvonne Doyle, England’s director for health protection, warned earlier on Monday that it is likely the coronavirus is already in the UK.
Asked by Sky News if there could already be cases in the country, she said: “I would expect so.”
Meanwhile, Britons stranded in the epicentre of the outbreak have expressed anger at the UK government, saying they have heard “absolutely nothing” about how they can get to safety.
Up to 300 UK citizens are believed to be stuck in Wuhan, as authorities have closed all transport hubs, including airports and railway and bus stations.
Foreign Secretary Dominic Raab has reportedly ordered officials to look at measures including airlifting them out.
(c) Sky News 2020: Coronavirus: Recent travellers from Wuhan to UK told to self-isolate
