https://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-7955333/One-UK-coronovirus-cases-student-University-York.htmlStudents panic as it is revealed UK coronavirus victim is studying at the University of York where bosses have opened call centre while students returning to Derby from Wuhan are put into isolation for 14 days
The student checked-in with a member of her family at York's Staycity apartment-hotel on Wednesday night
Health chiefs on Friday confirmed that they had both tested positive for the virus and are now being treated
Both are being treated at a specialist unit in Newcastle following their diagnosis as panic around the virus grows
The University of Derby revealed to students it was isolating students who had recently returned from Wuhan
Comes as the number of confirmed cases in China rose to 11,791 today and the death toll reached a total of 259
**Are you a student at the University of York? Get in touch using james.wood@mailonline.co.uk**
By James Wood For Mailonline
Published: 11:45, 1 February 2020 | Updated: 13:39, 1 February 2020
One of the first two people to test positive for coronavirus in the UK is a student at the University of York, it has been revealed as bosses open a call centre for panicked students. The pair two members of the same family are being treated at a specialist unit in Newcastle. They had checked in to the Staycity apartment-hotel in York on Wednesday and were taken to a hospital that evening. Health chiefs confirmed yesterday that they had tested positive for the virus. It comes as the number of confirmed cases in China rose to 11,791 today, surpassing the number in the 2002-03 outbreak of Sars and the death toll rose to 259. In a statement today, a spokeswoman for the University of York said the risk of the infection being passed on to other people on campus is low. But she could not fully confirm whether the student had come into contact with anybody on campus while they had symptoms. Those who have been in close contact with the student or her relative - within two metres of those infected for at least 15 minutes will get advice provided officials are able to get in touch with them. The University of York said its vice-chancellor will make a statement on coronavirus this afternoon. Vice-Chancellor Professor Charlie Jeffery will speak outside Heslington Hall at 3 pm but will not take any questions. Elsewhere, the University of Derby is reported to be isolating students that have returned from Wuhan for 14 days following advice from Public Health England and the World Health Organisation. And in Wirral, Merseyside, the 83 Britons repatriated from the crisis-hit Chinese city last night are beginning their first day in quarantine where they will be holed up in the building at the side of Arrowe Park Hospital for 14 days. Those in isolation have been sharing glimpses of life inside the quarantine zone, with one giving a guided tour of his apartment block complete with television, food, oven and more while another shared an image of himself with a surgical mask on while sitting inside his room. Other shocking developments in the outbreak today include:
Spain confirmed its first case of coronavirus this morning as the worldwide death toll for the killer bug hits 259
The number of confirmed cases in China rose to 11,791, surpassing the number in the 2002-03 outbreak of Sars
The US yesterday declared a public health emergency amid growing concern over the worldwide virus outbreak
Donald Trump signed an order barring entry to foreign nationals who have visited China within the last 14 days
Apple has said it will close all of its official stores and corporate offices in mainland China until February 9, 2020
China has asked couples to delay their nuptials from February 2 this year. It is being considered a lucky date for wedding ceremonies because the sequence of numbers '02022020' reads the same backwards as forwards
Families in China have also been asked to scale down funeral services to help slow the spread of a viral outbreak
Heidi Fraser-Krauss, Deputy Registrar and Director of Corporate and Information Services at the University of York, said: 'Public Health England (PHE) has informed us that one of the two individuals to have tested positive for coronavirus is a student at the University of York. 'We understand this development will cause concern and anxiety among our students, staff, and the wider community. PHE has advised us that the risk of infection being passed to others on campus is low. Current information from PHE suggests that the student did not come into contact with anybody on campus whilst they had symptoms, but investigations are ongoing to fully establish this.'
She added: 'Our immediate concerns are for the affected student and family, along with the health and continued wellbeing of our staff, students and visitors. We are working closely with NHS services and Public Health England who are taking the lead in responding to the case. The University is required to follow their direction in all matters related to this situation. The University continues to operate normally. We are monitoring the situation closely and we continue to provide as much advice, care and support as we can to our University community. 'If people have any concerns about their health in relation to suspected coronavirus we ask that they follow current PHE advice and contact NHS 111. 'The University has set up a call centre over the weekend for anyone who has any further concerns or inquiries. The telephone number is 01904 809571.'
And in Derby, a spokeswoman confirmed the MailOnline that a number of students had been 'self-isolating' for 14 days but noted that all were 'currently fit and well. She said: 'We have a very small number of students who travelled back from Wuhan before the travel restrictions were put in place. They are self-isolating for the required 14 day period and are being supported by our student living and wellbeing teams. All are currently fit and well. Our Student Wellbeing team is in regular contact with Public Health England. We are ensuring that all our staff and students are aware of their advice and are providing frequent updates. In common with all other UK universities, we are in close contact with our Chinese students both here in the UK and those who remain in China due to the travel restrictions.'
The hotel firm where the two confirmed British coronavirus patients were staying has said the apartment involved has been thoroughly disinfected and PHE has been providing support. The two patients are being treated by Newcastle upon Tyne Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust in its specialist Airborne High Consequences Infectious Disease Centre (HCID). The news comes after dramatic footage emerged yesterday showing medics in hazmat suits entering the budget Staycity hotel in York where two Chinese tourists fell ill. It is believed the medics were deployed to the hotel as part of a cranked-up manhunt to find anyone who came into contact with the two coronavirus patients. Separately, the Department of Health confirmed it was still trying to contact 438 travellers who have arrived here from Wuhan in the past three weeks. An appeal went out this week urging them to self-isolate for 14 days. The hotel remained open on Friday because officials reportedly refused to tell the owners their guests were the coronavirus patients. Paul Hunter, a professor of medicine at the University of East Anglia, blasted the Government's 'worrying' response after it emerged the hotel has remained open since a Chinese man fell ill there on Wednesday night and rooms can still be booked. Fris Ilfifi, 30, who recently arrived from Saudi Arabia to study for a chemistry PhD at York University, was among those staying at the hotel when medics rushed in. She told The Sun: 'I saw the man. He was sitting at reception. Two medics went to his room and tested him. When I checked at reception, they told me it was normal flu. Guests were not in masks. Everything was carrying on as normal. I was scared then, and now. I'm trying to find somewhere else to stay.'
York's rich history makes it a hugely popular stop for visitors on tours of Britain and Europe. Concerned guests began to check out yesterday afternoon after learning of the coronavirus link at the aparthotel, just outside the Roman walls of the tourist hotspot. Michaela Saunders, 26, of Bishop Auckland, demanded a refund and checked out and has spoken of her fury that no-one warned her of the cases. Other experts have warned ministers need to carry out 'detective work' in order to track down people who have been in contact with the confirmed cases. The World Health Organisation has warned the never-before-seen virus mainly spread through coughs and sneezes can survive on surfaces such as tables and cutlery. Around 2,000 people are thought to have jetted into Britain from Wuhan the deserted city at the heart of the crisis in the past three weeks, with hundreds still believed to be in the country. It came as the UK Government's evacuation flight landed at RAF Brize Norton in Oxfordshire yesterday afternoon containing 83 Britons. One of the evacuees from coronavirus-hit Wuhan today shared a glimpse of what life is like inside quarantine as he and 82 others spend their first day inside a nurses' accommodation block in the Wirral. Matt Raw, who was part of a group flown in from China on Friday over the coronavirus outbreak, revealed that he and others staying in the building can 'go outside for fresh air' and are treated to 'anything we ask for'.
The Briton, who is staying in the block alongside his wife, will be holed up in the building at the side of Arrowe Park Hospital for 14 days after which they will be allowed to leave provided they are clear of the virus. Speaking on BBC Breakfast this morning, Mr Raw said: 'Every single thing that we have asked for we get. There is an army of people here who are looking after us extremely well. They are running out and buying everything. They've bought us televisions, radios. You name it. Anything we've asked for, they've bought for us.'
Also staying in Mr Raw's four-bedroom apartment is his mother, who has her own room, and a mother and her daughter, who also have another room leaving one empty room in the flat. There is a another room, I think it is a quarantine bedroom, in the event that somebody does become sick,' Mr Raw added.
'We are allowed to have contact with anybody within the facility as long as we're wearing face masks. We can go outside and get some fresh air. We can open the windows and get some fresh air. We're being looked after to the absolute maximum that anyone can possibly expect.'
In a video blog from inside his room Mr Raw also told the Guardian: 'They've actually put a bag here containing various essentials that we might need underwear and things that people might not have had time to pack. It's a perfectly nice room. We've got all the essentials that we need.'
The evacuees have been supplied with food, and laundry facilities, and have access to the internet and a team of medical staff who will closely monitor their conditions. Kitchens are available for those who wish to self-cater, and families are being kept together, with games consoles, toys and cots provided. Coaches which transported the evacuees were seen parked in a fenced-off area of the staff car park at the hospital on Saturday morning. It is understood they will be taken away to be decontaminated later. In another development on Saturday the Foreign Office announced it is withdrawing some staff from China. It said essential staff will remain to continue 'critical work' but warned that its ability to provide help to Britons in the country may be 'limited'. UK ministers have said the Government will send another plane to Wuhan to rescue British citizens if needed and the PA news agency understands that the Foreign Office (FCO) is working with EU countries to add British passengers to any rescue flights they may charter back from the city. One Briton in Wuhan has told of his fears of being left stranded after deciding he could not leave his wife behind. Chris Hill, 38, from Sunderland said: 'My wife is a nurse and is not able to get the time off and will not abandon her parents. I am not willing to leave her behind and take my daughter. It's either we all go or we all stay in Wuhan.'
He added: 'I had to make a choice which I did. My only worry now is after everybody pulls out the FCO will forget about those who are staying and not give any support for us.'
He said the departure of embassy staff was 'not a good sight to see really, is it?'
Some reports on social media raised concerns that Paddington station had been cordoned off on Friday night due to a suspected coronavirus case. But while the London Ambulance Service said two people had been taken to hospital from the station, it is understood the patients are not suspected of having the virus and the station was operational as normal on Saturday. The number of coronavirus cases worldwide has surpassed that of the Sars epidemic, although death rates are lower. Qatar Airways has announced the suspension of flights to mainland China from February 3, following in the footsteps of other major airlines including British Airways. Many other countries, including Australia, South Korea, Singapore and New Zealand have said they plan to quarantine evacuees for two weeks to avoid spread of the virus. Russia, Mongolia and North Korea have also announced that they will close their land borders with China to guard against the spread of the virus. The virus emerged in early December and has been traced to a market in Hubei's capital Wuhan that sold wild animals. It spread globally on the wings of a Lunar New Year holiday rush that sees hundreds of millions of Chinese people travel domestically and overseas. Yesterday, Britain confirmed its first two cases on the same day dozens of British evacuees from Wuhan arrived in the country at a York hotel where both members of the same family fell ill. Dramatic footage from the budget Staycity showed medics in hazmat suits marching through an eerily deserted reception area, despite the £49-a-night tourist spot remaining open to guests. Officials are trying to trace 438 other air passengers who've recently arrived from Wuhan as medics in hazmat suits were seen entering the York hotel where the two people with confirmed cases were staying. One of the two coronavirus patients has now been revealed to be a student at the University of York. In a statement today, a spokesman for the university said the risk of the infection being passed on to other people on campus is low. The virus's rapid spread in two months prompted the World Health Organization on Thursday to declare it a global emergency. Most cases reported so far have been people who visited China or their family members. On Friday, the United States declared a public health emergency and President Donald Trump signed an order barring entry to foreign nationals, other than immediate family of American citizens and permanent residents, who visited China within the last 14 days, which scientists say is the virus's longest incubation period. China has also flown two planeloads of its citizens back home to Hubei, the locked-down province at the centre of the deadly coronavirus outbreak where they were greeted by authorities in full-body protective suits. A Xiamen Airlines charter flight from Bangkok touched down late Friday in the provincial capital Wuhan, where the infection is believed to have originated in a market that sold wild animals. And today Spanish authorities confirmed that a German tourist was taken ill with the infection while on holiday in the Canary Islands. Britain and France are among 20 countries outside of mainland China to confirm cases of the virus as tech giant Apple has confirmed the closure of all major stores and offices in the country. British evacuee Mr Raw is just one of a number to have shared their experiences inside the quarantine zone, after others last night posted images of themselves on social media wearing face masks. Accommodation for the quarantined Britons who are separate to the two confirmed coronavirus cases in Britain was yesterday kitted out with bedding, games consoles and Barbies ahead of their 14 days in quarantine. The evacuees were driven to the NHS staff accommodation blocks at the side of Arrowe Park Hospital on the Wirral just after 7.15 pm after travelling 180 miles from RAF Brize Norton in Oxfordshire. Ben Kavanagh was among those taking to social media last night to share their experiences of arriving at the hospital. He posted a picture of himself wearing a mask to Instagram with the caption: 'We are all now safe in quarantine. Everyone has been fantastic, the airline, the stewards/stewardesses, the bus drivers, the NHS. Been travelling for 40 hours. I am mostly grease at this point. I will try to reply to everyone's kind messages tomorrow.'
The coronavirus, which has infected nearly 12,000 people and killed 259 all in China is known to spread easily through coughs and sneezes and close contact, and people may be contagious even if they feel well.
WHAT SHOULD STUDENTS AT THE UNIVERSITY OF YORK DO NOW?
A student at the University of York has tested positive for coronavirus - so what is their advice to students?
The University said it has been advised by Public Health England (PHE) that the risk of infection on campus is low because it is not thought the student came into contact with anyone there while they had symptoms. But, recognising the 'concern and anxiety' the news will cause, the university has set up a special helpline. Anyone with a concern about their health in relation to coronavirus is advised to follow current advice from the PHE and call the NHS non-emergency line on 111. The university said it continues to operate normally while monitoring the situation closely. A spokesman said: 'We understand this development will cause concern and anxiety among our students, staff, and the wider community. PHE has advised us that the risk of infection being passed to others on campus is low. Current information from PHE suggests that the student did not come into contact with anybody on campus whilst they had symptoms, but investigations are ongoing to fully establish this. Our immediate concerns are for the affected student and family, along with the health and continued wellbeing of our staff, students and visitors. We are working closely with NHS services and Public Health England who are taking the lead in responding to the case. '
Concerned students can call the special helpline this weekend on 01904 809571.
**Are you a student at the University of York? Get in touch using james.wood@mailonline.co.uk**
