Coronavirus patient being treated at Guy’s Hospital

The patient is the first British national to contract coronavirus and the third to test positive within the UK. Reports say the man recently came to the UK from Singapore and fell ill in Brighton on Sunday night.

In the statement released by Guy's hospital yesterday, they reassured the public that the patient is being kept in isolation and there is absolutely no risk to other patients or visitors. He is expected to remain in quarantine for at least two weeks. According to the Chief Medical Officer, the NHS is working quickly to identify any contacts the patient has had.

The two other cases in the UK are a University of York student and his mother who are currently being quarantined in Newcastle.

The World Health Organisation has declared that the virus is a public health emergency of international concern and the UK Chief Medical Officers have raised the risk to the public from low to moderate. According to the W.H.O., coronavirus has claimed the lives of 565 people. 28,000 cases have been confirmed in China where the virus originated from and 225 others have been confirmed across 24 countries.

The government has reassured the public that the NHS is well prepared to manages such cases and is using robust infection control measure to prevent further possible spread. GPs are expected to be on high alert for patients who have returned from foreign travel who are displaying 'flu-like' symptoms.

Guy’s hospital remains opens and fully functional as usual. For more information on the coronavirus please visit the NHS website for more details.