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As it happenedended1580573988

Coronavirus news: One UK patient confirmed as York student as US declares national emergency as nearly 12,000 infected globally

Follow how the day unfolded

Samuel Osborne
Saturday 01 February 2020 13:00 GMT
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Coronavirus: Plane carrying Britons evacuated from Wuhan lands in UK

Britain is withdrawing its Foreign Office staff from China hours after dozens of UK nationals were evacuated from the city at the centre of the coronavirus outbreak.

They arrived at a hospital in Merseyside on Friday, where they will spend 14 days in quarantine.

Their arrival came as the UK’s first cases of the new disease were confirmed, with health officials urgently trying to trace those who came into contact with two people diagnosed with the virus.

Meanwhile, China’s death toll from the new virus rose to 259 on Saturday, with the number of confirmed cases reaching 11,791, surpassing the number in the 2002-2003 Sars outbreak.

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The Foreign Office has began pulling its staff out of China after evacuating dozens of UK nationals from the coronavirus-hit city of Wuhan.

Essential staff will remain to continue "critical work," but the FCO has warned its ability to provide help to Britons in the country may be "limited".

Samuel Osborne1 February 2020 08:55
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The rescued UK nationals were taken to Arrowe Park Hospital on the Wirral in a convoy of six coaches shortly after 7.15pm Friday. They will spend the next 14 days in quarantine.

The evacuation flight from Wuhan carried 83 Britons and 27 non-UK nationals. It landed at the Brize Norton RAF base in Oxfordshire around 1.30pm.

Samuel Osborne1 February 2020 09:11
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Those taken to Arrowe Park Hospital are being given fully-furnished rooms, food, and laundry facilities, and have access to a team of medical staff who will closely monitor their condition, the Press Association reports.

Kitchens are available for those who wish to self-cater, and families are being kept together, with games consoles, toys and cots provided.

Samuel Osborne1 February 2020 09:27
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The evacuation of Britons from China came as the first two cases of coronavirus in the UK were confirmed by Public Health England (PHE).

PHE confirmed the two people - who are members of the same family - had been staying at the Staycity apartment-hotel in York when they became unwell.

They are being treated by Newcastle upon Tyne Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust in its specialist Airborne High Consequences Infectious Disease Centre (HCID).

A specialist outbreak investigation team is working to identify anyone who may have had close contact with the patients, Shaun Lintern reports:

Samuel Osborne1 February 2020 09:38
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China's death toll from the coronavirus has risen to 259, with the number of known cases increasing from 9,962 to 11,791 today.

No deaths have occurred outside China so far, though cases have been confirmed in at least 23 countries.

Samuel Osborne1 February 2020 09:57
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After the US barred entry to most foreigners who visited China in the past two weeks, Australia's prime minister, Scott Morrison, announced similar measures on Saturday, following Japan and Singapore.

On Friday, the US declared a public health emergency and Donald Trump signed an order barring entry to foreign nationals, other than the immediate family of American citizens and permanent residents, who had visited China within the last 14 days. Scientists have said 14 days is the virus's longest incubation period.

China has criticised the US controls, which it said contradicted the World Health Organisation's appeal to avoid travel bans.

Samuel Osborne1 February 2020 10:18
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A plane carrying Indians from Wuhan landed in New Delhi today, and the government said they would be quarantined in a nearby city, Manesar.

Sri Lanka also pulled out more of its citizens and promised to bring out the remaining 204 students.

South Korea's second evacuation flight landed in Seoul with 330 people from Wuhan. They were to be screened for fever before being taken to two quarantine centers.

Samuel Osborne1 February 2020 10:43
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Video has emerged showing drones being used in some villages and cities in China to remind citizens to wear face masks if they leave their homes, Kate Ng reports:

Samuel Osborne1 February 2020 11:02
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China will implement tax exemptions for imports of products related to curbing the coronavirus outbreak, the finance ministry has announced.

Materials directly used for epidemic control will be exempt from import tariffs from 1 January 31 March, the ministry said in a statement on its website.

Imports of donations including ambulances and disinfectant products will also be exempt from tariffs, value-added tax and consumption tax, it added.

Samuel Osborne1 February 2020 11:29
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One of the two individuals in the UK who has tested positive for coronavirus is a student at the University of York, the Press Association reports, citing a university spokesperson.

The spokesman said Public Health England has advised university officials the risk of infection being passed on campus is "low".

He said: "Public Health England (PHE) have informed us that one of the two individuals to have tested positive for coronavirus is a student at the University of York.

"We understand this development will cause concern and anxiety among our students, staff, and the wider community.

"PHE has advised us that the risk of infection being passed to others on campus is low. Current information from PHE suggests that the student did not come into contact with anybody on campus whilst they had symptoms, but investigations are ongoing to fully establish this.

"Our immediate concerns are for the affected student and family, along with the health and continued wellbeing of our staff, students and visitors."

Samuel Osborne1 February 2020 11:38

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