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China coronavirus: UK tests come back negative | China coronavirus: UK tests come back negative |
(32 minutes later) | |
Tests in the UK on 31 people for the new strain of coronavirus have come back negative, the government has said. | Tests in the UK on 31 people for the new strain of coronavirus have come back negative, the government has said. |
"There are currently no confirmed cases in the UK or of UK citizens abroad, and the risk to the public is low," the Department of Health said. | |
It came after the Chief Medical Officer for England said there was a "fair chance" the UK would see a case. | |
The coronavirus has killed at least 41 people and infected 1,300 since its discovery in the Chinese city of Wuhan. | |
Health Secretary Matt Hancock said on Friday the risk to the public "remains low". | |
In its daily update on Saturday, the Department of Health added: "The government is monitoring the situation closely and will continue to work with the World Health Organization (WHO) and international community." | |
It was announced on Friday that 14 completed tests had come back negative for the new strain. | |
Officials are trying to trace around 2,000 people who have flown in to the UK from Wuhan in the past fortnight. | |
The virus, which is new to science, has now spread to 10 countries outside of China, including France, the US and Australia. | |
In China, travel restrictions have already hit several affected cities and President Xi Jinping has warned the spread of the virus is "accelerating". | |
What should you do if you think you have the virus? | |
Public Health England is advising anyone who has been to Wuhan within the past 14 days and has developed respiratory symptoms to phone NHS 111. | |
Those symptoms include a cough, a sneeze, shortness of breath, or a fever. | |
People who are concerned should phone ahead before going to any medical facility and mention their recent travel to the city. | |
PHE also advises anyone travelling to China to maintain good hand, respiratory and personal hygiene, and avoid visiting animal and bird markets or people who are ill with respiratory symptoms. | |
The agency is currently not advising people to wear face masks. | |
Learn more about the new virus |
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