This article is from the source 'nytimes' and was first published or seen on . It last changed over 40 days ago and won't be checked again for changes.

You can find the current article at its original source at https://www.nytimes.com/2020/02/10/world/europe/britain-france-coronavirus.html

The article has changed 46 times. There is an RSS feed of changes available.

Version 0 Version 1
U.K. Declares Coronavirus ‘Imminent Threat’ as Europe Scrambles to Combat Epidemic U.K. Declares Coronavirus ‘Imminent Threat’ as Europe Scrambles to Combat Epidemic
(about 1 hour later)
LONDON — Britain’s health department declared the new coronavirus an “imminent threat” to public health and announced a series of measures to combat the spread of the virus, a sign of the seriousness with which local health authorities are treating the fears of the epidemic.LONDON — Britain’s health department declared the new coronavirus an “imminent threat” to public health and announced a series of measures to combat the spread of the virus, a sign of the seriousness with which local health authorities are treating the fears of the epidemic.
Four more people linked to a cluster of transmissions at a ski resort in France tested positive for the coronavirus, bringing the total number of cases in Britain to eight, the health department announced Monday.Four more people linked to a cluster of transmissions at a ski resort in France tested positive for the coronavirus, bringing the total number of cases in Britain to eight, the health department announced Monday.
The newly introduced measures — which apply only in England — are among the first in Europe to allow health authorities to keep individuals in quarantine if public health professionals believe they may be at risk of spreading the virus.The newly introduced measures — which apply only in England — are among the first in Europe to allow health authorities to keep individuals in quarantine if public health professionals believe they may be at risk of spreading the virus.
The new coronavirus has sickened more than 40,500 people, mostly in China, and at least 910 people have died since the virus first emerged in Wuhan, a city of 11 million people in the central part of the country late last year. Since that time, the virus has also spread to at least 24 countries, triggering fears of a global pandemic.The new coronavirus has sickened more than 40,500 people, mostly in China, and at least 910 people have died since the virus first emerged in Wuhan, a city of 11 million people in the central part of the country late last year. Since that time, the virus has also spread to at least 24 countries, triggering fears of a global pandemic.
The Department of Health and Social Care emphasized that the risk of the contracting the coronavirus in Britain remained “moderate,” even as the government empowered the health authorities to forcibly quarantine people. It also designated a hospital, near Liverpool, and a conference center, northwest of London, as isolation facilities for those placed under quarantine.The Department of Health and Social Care emphasized that the risk of the contracting the coronavirus in Britain remained “moderate,” even as the government empowered the health authorities to forcibly quarantine people. It also designated a hospital, near Liverpool, and a conference center, northwest of London, as isolation facilities for those placed under quarantine.
Updated Feb. 5, 2020Updated Feb. 5, 2020
The new measures were announced a day after a repatriation flight from Hubei Province — Wuhan is the largest city in the area — carrying about 200 citizens from Britain and elsewhere landed at an air force base in central England. Those on the flight were taken to the Kents Hill Park conference center, about 50 miles northwest of London, for 14 days of quarantine.The new measures were announced a day after a repatriation flight from Hubei Province — Wuhan is the largest city in the area — carrying about 200 citizens from Britain and elsewhere landed at an air force base in central England. Those on the flight were taken to the Kents Hill Park conference center, about 50 miles northwest of London, for 14 days of quarantine.
By Monday morning, eight people in England had tested positive for the mew coronavirus, according to a statement from Professor Chris Whitty, the Department of Health’s Chief Medical Officer for England, doubling the known cases in the country. By Monday morning, eight people in England had tested positive for the coronavirus, according to a statement from Professor Chris Whitty, the Department of Health’s Chief Medical Officer for England, doubling the known cases in the country.
“The new cases are all known contacts of a previously confirmed U.K. case, and the virus was passed on in France,” Professor Whitty said in a statement. “Experts at Public Health England continue to work hard tracing patient contacts from the U.K. cases. They successfully identified these individuals and ensured the appropriate support was provided.”“The new cases are all known contacts of a previously confirmed U.K. case, and the virus was passed on in France,” Professor Whitty said in a statement. “Experts at Public Health England continue to work hard tracing patient contacts from the U.K. cases. They successfully identified these individuals and ensured the appropriate support was provided.”
The new cases in Britain are linked to cases in France and Spain, according to the French health authorities. They all trace back to a group of British citizens staying in a chalet in the village of Les Contamines-Montjoie, near Switzerland, late last month.The new cases in Britain are linked to cases in France and Spain, according to the French health authorities. They all trace back to a group of British citizens staying in a chalet in the village of Les Contamines-Montjoie, near Switzerland, late last month.
A British man is believed to have contracted the coronavirus while attending a conference in Singapore, before flying back on Jan. 24 to France, where he shared lodgings with a group of fellow Britons.A British man is believed to have contracted the coronavirus while attending a conference in Singapore, before flying back on Jan. 24 to France, where he shared lodgings with a group of fellow Britons.
At least five other Britons who stayed in the chalet and are still in France have tested positive for the new coronavirus, according to French authorities.At least five other Britons who stayed in the chalet and are still in France have tested positive for the new coronavirus, according to French authorities.
Megan Specia reported from London and Constant Méheut reported from Paris.Megan Specia reported from London and Constant Méheut reported from Paris.