Two tourists from China are the first cases in Britain Desperate hunt for 440 recent arrivals from Wuhan
THE hunt is on for anyone who met two people who tested positive for coronavirus after the deadly infection reached Britain.
The pair, thought to be Chinese tourists from the same family, are quarantined in a Newcastle hospital.
The positive tests came as the authorities desperately tried to trace around 440 recent arrivals from the Chinese city of Wuhan, where the outbreak began.
The quarantined pair were staying at the Staycity hotel in the centre of York, which is still accepting guests.
The Government said it is “working rapidly” to identify anyone who may have met them. Chief Medical Officer Prof Chris Whitty confirmed the test results and said: “The NHS is extremely well prepared.”
A team has been formed to trace contacts but Prof Sharon Peacock, of Public Health England, admitted they had no idea how many could be involved.
She advised anyone who thinks they have been in contact to “self-isolate” for 14 days and call 111 or their GP if symptoms develop.
Contact is defined as being within two metres of an infected person for 15 minutes.
The Staycity hotel had been in lockdown on Wednesday night after a man was taken to hospital with his family.
Their rooms, containing clothes and toiletries, are still sealed and will be deep-cleaned today. But the 220-room hotel remains open.
The management said: “We have been advised by
Public Health England there is a minimal risk of infection. We would like to reassure guests we are following official advice and that the health and safety of everyone remains of paramount importance.” But guests arriving yesterday were stunned. Ellisa Imrie, 21, on a break from Manchester, said: “I am