UK Declares Coronavirus Serious, Imminent Threat After Cases Climb to Eight

Posted on February 10, 2020

The UK has declared the the novel coronavirus (2019-nCov) a serious and imminent threat. Cases in the UK have climbed to eight from four. The declaration gives the government additional powers. Reuters reports that these powers includes stronger quarantine powers for doctors to isolated people and contain the virus.

A GP clinic in Brighton has also temporarily shut after one of its staff members tested positive for the virus. BBC News reports that patients have been advised to contact the NHS 111 phone service.

Additionally, the Guardian reports there are concerns a British businessman was a "super spreader" and spread the coronavirus to at least 11 people in three countries.

There is local sustained transmission on small levels in several countries outside China. This combined with the increase in cases and the British super spreader likely factored into the declaration from the UK NHS.

Gov.uk maintains a coronavirus section which says 1,114 people have been tested with 1,106 negative results and 8 positive results.

COVID-19