Several people tested for coronavirus in UK – with fears of more potential cases

Several people in the UK are being tested over concerns they may have the deadly coronavirus.

Three people are currently undergoing tests for the virus in Scotland but none have been confirmed as having the disease so far, the country’s government said.

Two of those being tested had been diagnosed with influenza after travelling to Wuhan, China – where the outbreak is thought to have originated – while the third person is “undergoing testing on a similar precautionary basis”.

Sky News understands one person is also being treated at the Royal Victoria Infirmary in Belfast for symptoms associated with coronavirus.

The patient is being looked at as a precautionary measure.

A spokesman for Prime Minister Boris Johnson had said earlier that four Chinese nationals were being tested for coronavirus in Scotland and said the tests were “purely precautionary” and “no one has tested positive”.

The spokesman also confirmed the patients were in Edinburgh and Glasgow.

The coronavirus outbreak has so far killed 18 people and infected nearly 600.

Professor Jurgen Haas, head of infection medicine at the University of Edinburgh, said he believes there will be many more potential cases in other cities in the UK.

He said: “We have currently three cases suspected Wuhan coronavirus in Edinburgh and as far as I understand one case in Glasgow.

“The situation will be pretty similar in pretty much all UK cities with a large number of Chinese students.

“It’s not too surprising. My suspicious is that there will probably be many more cases in many other cities in the UK.

“None of the cases I know of have been confirmed.”

Professor Haas said there is only one laboratory testing for the virus, operated by Public Health England (PHE).

He added that the cases have been flagged through the PHE infection guidelines as they travelled to Wuhan within the last 14 days and are showing signs of respiratory symptoms.

Health Secretary Matt Hancock has said the NHS is “ready to respond appropriately” to any cases of coronavirus that emerge in the UK.

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He told the Commons on Thursday 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”.

England’s chief medical officer, Professor Chris Whitty, is in contact with international experts and his counterparts to monitor the situation, Mr Hancock added.

More than 600 cases of coronavirus have been confirmed, with the vast majority in China. Other cases have been reported in the US, Japan, South Korea, Thailand, Singapore and Hong Kong.

The Chinese government has effectively locked down Wuhan, cancelling planes and trains there and in the nearby city of Huanggang.

(c) Sky News 2020: Several people tested for coronavirus in UK – with fears of more potential cases