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Coronavirus: Twelve more cases confirmed in England Coronavirus: Twelve more cases confirmed in England
(31 minutes later)
Twelve more patients in England have tested positive for coronavirus, taking the total number of UK cases to 35.Twelve more patients in England have tested positive for coronavirus, taking the total number of UK cases to 35.
Three patients were close contacts of a known case which was transmitted in the UK, chief medical officer Prof Chris Whitty said.Three patients were close contacts of a known case which was transmitted in the UK, chief medical officer Prof Chris Whitty said.
One person from Essex had "no relevant travel" and it was unclear how they had contracted the virus.One person from Essex had "no relevant travel" and it was unclear how they had contracted the virus.
Out of the remaining eight cases, six had recently returned from Italy and two had been to Iran.Out of the remaining eight cases, six had recently returned from Italy and two had been to Iran.
Prof Whitty said these patients were from London, West Yorkshire, Greater Manchester, Hertfordshire and Gloucestershire.
Bury Council confirmed that the Greater Manchester case was one of its residents, who had become infected in Italy.
On Friday, a man from Surrey became the first person to be infected within the UK.
The patient, who is being treated at Guy's and St Thomas' Hospital in central London, had not been abroad recently - unlike the other cases in the UK.
The latest cases come after three more positive tests were confirmed in England on Saturday.
The government has said no tactics will be "off the table" as part of its plan to contain the virus in the UK.
Health Secretary Matt Hancock told the BBC's Andrew Marr Show an emergency "battle plan", drawn up if the virus spreads further, includes banning big events, closing schools and dissuading people from using public transport.
Mr Hancock said there were four phases to the plan:
Currently, the UK is in the "containment" phase - which health leaders say may still be sufficient.
But the next phase could see broader "social distancing" measures.
Mr Hancock did not rule out following China's lead in shutting down cities if the outbreak escalates, but said there was "clearly a huge economic and social downside to that".