UK confirms ninth case of coronavirus

A further patient has tested positive for coronavirus in the UK, bringing the total number of cases in the country to nine.

"This virus was passed on in China and the patient has now been transferred to a specialist NHS centre at Guy's and St Thomas' in London," England’s chief medical officer, Professor Chris Whitty, confirmed in a statement on Wednesday.

In a separate statement, NHS strategic incident director, Professor Keith Willett, announced that Steven Walsh, a businessman linked to 11 cases of coronavirus, has made a full recovery and now been discharged from the hospital.

“Mr Walsh’s symptoms were mild and he is no longer contagious, and poses no risk to the public, he is keen to return to his normal life and spend time with his family out of the media spotlight,” Willett said.

“I would like to thank the clinical team who treated Mr Walsh in hospital, as well as all the NHS staff who are working hard with other health organisations to limit the spread of coronavirus and treat the small numbers who have contracted the illness,” he added.

The first British Coronavirus evacuees from the Chinese city of Wuhan also left quarantine today after their test results for the coronavirus came back negative.

NHS chief executive, Sir Simon Stevens, said: “As our first group of guests leaves Arrowe Park Hospital, we want to thank them for the highly responsible, pragmatic and stoical way they have played their part in keeping both themselves and others safe. They have set an important example, recognising that over the coming weeks many more of us may need to self-isolate at home for a period to reduce this virus’s spread."