Patient treated in specialist unit as global death toll rises to 565
THE UK’S third coronavirus victim was confirmed last night and the first of a person from a country outside China.
The patient is thought to have been diagnosed in Brighton and transferred to an infectious diseases unit in London.
It is believed they contracted the disease in Asia – but not in China where the two previous patients came from – although it is not known where.
Two patients are being treated at the Royal Victoria Infirmary infectious diseases centre in Newcastle upon Tyne.
They are believed to be from Wuhan, where the deadly outbreak began.
England’s chief medical officer, Chris Whitty, said: “A further patient has tested positive for coronavirus, bringing the total number of cases in the UK to three. The individual did not acquire this in the UK.
“The patient is being transferred to a specialist NHS centre and we are
BY ADAM ASPINALL reporters@dailyrecord.co.uk using robust infection control measures to prevent any possible further spread of the virus.”
The global coronavirus death toll rose to 565 yesterday, with the number of confirmed cases up to 28,273 – including 260 recorded outside China.
Meanwhile, 78 people with British passports are in quarantine on the Diamond Princess cruise ship in Japan. Health workers in the port city of Yokohama said 10 more people on the vessel had tested positive for the disease, in addition to 10 on Wednesday when the ship was ordered to be isolated.
Briton David Abel, who is on board with his wife, said: “What happens at the end of this quarantine period? There’s no guarantee it’s going to be 14 days now. It could be longer.”
No British people on the ship have tested positive for coronavirus so far.