A DESPERATE hunt is underway today to find everyone who had contact with Britain’s first coronavirus victims after two members of the same family fell ill at a Yorkshire hotel.
Two patients have been quarantined in Newcastle after testing positive for the killer bug – as the rescue flight from Wuhan finally touched down in Britain this lunchtime.
Two women wearing face masks leave the Staycity Hotel in the center of York Credit: PA: Press Association
Soldiers and medics on hand at Brize Norton today as the rescue flight from Wuhan lands today Credit: SWNS: South West News Service 140 Medics with hazmat suits on were seen leading a patient to an ambulance in university halls in London last night
Emergency staff get ready to greet British Nationals before they arrive at RAF Brize Norton in Oxfordshire Credit: SWNS: South West News Service
Medics at the Wirral are prepped for people ready to fly in Credit: PA: Press Association
. Two medics were seen in Bristol after reports a student was suffering from flu-like symptoms It comes as China has its deadliest day yet with the death toll reaching 580 and cases surging towards 64, . Despite today’s rescue flight bringing home some of the Brits, many remain stranded in Wuhan after Chinese authorities said anyone with a local passport should stay. It has left British families facing a tough decision – to remain together in the deadly zone or split their family by flying some members home. The evacuation came after the World Health Organization (WHO) declared an international public health emergency. Virgin Atlantic and British Airways have suspended flights from virus-hit China to the UK. HIGH ALERT: Chief Medical Officer confirms two cases of coronavirus in the UK Announcing the two cases in the UK, Chris Whitty, Chief Medical Officer, said: “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. “The NHS is extremely well-prepared and used to managing infections and we are already working rapidly to identify any contacts the patients had, to prevent further spread. “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.” A man wears a mask in Newcastle upon Tyne, near where two patients who have tested positive for coronavirus Credit: PA: Press Association Patrick Graham shared a selfie saying he had been awake for hours and was now off to a – day quarantine Credit: Instagram Medics in Hazmat suits at Wuhan airport on Thursday Credit: Instagram ) Th e flight is due to land this morning after evacuating Brits from Wuhan Credit: SWNS: South West News Service They will be taken by bus to Arrowe Park Hospital on the Wirral where they will be housed in an NHS staff accommodation block with access to the internet. Anyone with suspicious symptoms will be taken to the Royal Liverpool and Broadgreen Hospital, which has a high-level infectious diseases unit. 140 French citizens arrive and settle aboard an evacuation plane heading to southeastern France Credit: AFP or licensors ) RAF Brize Norton in Oxfordshire this morning as it prepares for a return flight from Wuhan Credit: SWNS: South West News Service What is coronavirus and how to spot the symptoms? Coronavirus is an airborne virus, spread in a similar way to colds and the flu. The virus attacks the respiratory system, causing lung lesions. Symptoms include a runny nose, headache, cough and fever, shortness of breath, chills and body aches. It is incredibly contagious and is spread through contact with anything the virus is on as well as infected breath, coughs or sneezes. The symptoms include: (A runny nose) Headache
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