Daily Mirror (Northern Ireland)
ULSTER MAN TESTED FOR KILLER VIRUS
Patient being treated in Royal as outbreak claims 18th victim
A MAN was being tested for suspected coronavirus in Belfast’s Royal Victoria Hospital last night.
The news emerged as the killer strain claimed its 18th victim in China where three cities are in lockdown.
There are more than 500 confirmed cases of the virus worldwide and a total of 14 people have been tested in hospitals in the UK.
Health Secretary Matt Hancock said yesterday there is an “increased likelihood” of coronavirus occurring here.
THE deadly coronavirus could spread like wildfire through the UK if cases are confirmed, an expert warned last night.
It came as 14 people were being tested for the virus after returning from Wuhan, a city in central China, where the outbreak started.
Last night Public Health England said five had been confirmed as negative while nine were still awaiting results.
Two of the patients are in Glasgow, one is in Edinburgh and two more are in undisclosed areas of Scotland.
At least one is thought to have flown in via London.
A sixth suspected case is in Belfast where the man is being tested for the killer strain on an isolation ward at the Royal Victoria Hospital.
He is understood to have flown from Wuhan at the weekend.
But Health Secretary Matt Hancock insisted Britain can cope with any outbreak. Four NHS trusts in London have been put on standby to receive patients.
The warning about an epidemic here was issued after 18 deaths were confirmed in China from 572 cases of coronavirus, which started at a live food market in Wuhan.
Officials put the city of 11 million people into lockdown, amid fears of a global pandemic – as thousands may be infected who do not yet have symptoms.
There are around 120,000 Chinese students in the UK.
University of Edinburgh head of infection Professor Jurgen Haas warned the suspected cases so far could be the first of many.
He added: “The situation will be pretty similar in pretty much all UK cities with a large number of Chinese students.
“It’s not too surprising. My suspicion is that there will probably be many more cases in many other cities in the UK.”
A Scottish government spokesman said: “Following travel to Wuhan, two people confirmed as diagnosed with influenza are now being tested for coronavirus as a precautionary measure only.
“Three further people are also undergoing testing on a similar precautionary basis. As the situation develops we will update should there be any confirmed cases. There are currently no confirmed cases of coronavirus in Scotland and the risk to the Scottish public remains low.”
Hong Kong yesterday confirmed its first case, joining Singapore, the US, Japan, South Korea and Thailand in having the virus.
Mr Hancock said: “The UK is one of the first countries to have developed a world-leading test for the new coronavirus.
“The NHS is ready to respond appropriately to any cases that emerge. Clinicians have received advice on initial detection and investigation of possible cases, infection prevention and control and clinical diagnostics.
“It is important we get the enhanced airport monitoring right. The challenge here is that symptoms do not usually appear for up to 14 days.”
The British Medical Association’s Dr Peter Holden warned anybody with flu-like symptoms who fears they may have the virus not to visit A&ES or GP surgeries. He added: “If you have been to Wuhan stay at home and ring up. Help will be organised to take you to somewhere we can examine you in safety.” The Public Health Agency declined to comment on the suspected cases. But Nottingham University’s Professor Jonathan Ball said:
“The individuals are isolated, and the diagnostic laboratory will now be testing to see if they have evidence of the novel coronavirus.”
They had samples taken from their nose and throat that were sent to Public Health England’s laboratory centre in Colindale, North West London, for analysis.
Millions of people are preparing to travel east for China’s lunar new year celebrations, which start this weekend.
The University of Chester said it has notified students in the UK that if they return to China they will not be readmitted without a suitable quarantine period.
University of Dundee bosses warned people to be careful if receiving items from areas where the virus is present.
It runs a joint education
My suspicions are that there will be probably be many more cases in cities in the UK PROFESSOR JURGEN HAAS HEAD OF INFECTION AT EDINBURGH UNIVERSITY