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Coronavirus: Britons on Wuhan evacuation flight land in UK Coronavirus: Britons on Wuhan evacuation flight land in UK
(32 minutes later)
A plane carrying 83 Britons and 27 foreign nationals who were trapped in Wuhan - the Chinese city at the centre of the coronavirus outbreak - has landed in the UK.A plane carrying 83 Britons and 27 foreign nationals who were trapped in Wuhan - the Chinese city at the centre of the coronavirus outbreak - has landed in the UK.
Medics were also on the flight, which arrived at RAF Brize Norton at around 13:30 GMT.Medics were also on the flight, which arrived at RAF Brize Norton at around 13:30 GMT.
The UK passengers will be taken to Arrowe Park Hospital on the Wirral and quarantined for two weeks.The UK passengers will be taken to Arrowe Park Hospital on the Wirral and quarantined for two weeks.
It comes as the first two cases of coronavirus were confirmed in the UK.It comes as the first two cases of coronavirus were confirmed in the UK.
The Department of Health said two members of the same family had tested positive for the virus in England. It is understood the patients were staying in a hotel in Yorkshire, before being taken overnight to a specialist centre in Newcastle.The Department of Health said two members of the same family had tested positive for the virus in England. It is understood the patients were staying in a hotel in Yorkshire, before being taken overnight to a specialist centre in Newcastle.
The World Health Organization has declared an international public health emergency over the outbreak, which has caused 213 deaths in China and spread to 18 other countries.
The government initially estimated up to 150 Britons would be on the evacuation flight from Wuhan.The government initially estimated up to 150 Britons would be on the evacuation flight from Wuhan.
However, some UK citizens did not make the flight after being told family members with Chinese passports would be unable to join them.However, some UK citizens did not make the flight after being told family members with Chinese passports would be unable to join them.
That decision was reversed hours before the plane was due to depart, but it was too late for some to get to the airport.That decision was reversed hours before the plane was due to depart, but it was too late for some to get to the airport.
Cabinet Office minister Michael Gove told Sky News the government would send another plane to Wuhan to rescue British citizens if necessary.Cabinet Office minister Michael Gove told Sky News the government would send another plane to Wuhan to rescue British citizens if necessary.
The flight was delayed by around three hours to allow as many UK and EU citizens as possible to get to the airport on time, amid a suspension of the city's public transport.The flight was delayed by around three hours to allow as many UK and EU citizens as possible to get to the airport on time, amid a suspension of the city's public transport.
The 27 foreign nationals on the plane - thought to be EU citizens - will fly on to Spain.The 27 foreign nationals on the plane - thought to be EU citizens - will fly on to Spain.
Deputy chief medical officer Dr Jenny Harries said all the Britons were screened before boarding the plane and were subject to continuous risk assessment during the flight.Deputy chief medical officer Dr Jenny Harries said all the Britons were screened before boarding the plane and were subject to continuous risk assessment during the flight.
"Everybody who has got on the plane is a well passenger," she said. "If any of those passengers do show symptoms there are set procedures to isolate them.""Everybody who has got on the plane is a well passenger," she said. "If any of those passengers do show symptoms there are set procedures to isolate them."
One UK citizen, trying to travel with his wife and one-month-old baby, said he did not make the flight because he could not find a car to take his family to the airport.One UK citizen, trying to travel with his wife and one-month-old baby, said he did not make the flight because he could not find a car to take his family to the airport.
Local police were unable to help, and although the UK Foreign Office arranged a car it did not arrive in time.Local police were unable to help, and although the UK Foreign Office arranged a car it did not arrive in time.
Adam Bridgeman told the BBC Radio 4's Today programme: "I got a call saying there would be a flight leaving at 5am but we had to be at the airport at 1am," he said.Adam Bridgeman told the BBC Radio 4's Today programme: "I got a call saying there would be a flight leaving at 5am but we had to be at the airport at 1am," he said.
"We thought we are probably not going to make it, we won't go, because going to the airport, getting on a plane with our newborn son, is in itself a kind of a risk.""We thought we are probably not going to make it, we won't go, because going to the airport, getting on a plane with our newborn son, is in itself a kind of a risk."
Another British man - who did not want to be named - said he and his wife, who is a Chinese national, were stuck in a small city in Hubei, and had no way of reaching the airport in Wuhan.Another British man - who did not want to be named - said he and his wife, who is a Chinese national, were stuck in a small city in Hubei, and had no way of reaching the airport in Wuhan.
He said the government suggested they would have to "find a way", but added: "We can't even leave our street, let alone reach Wuhan."He said the government suggested they would have to "find a way", but added: "We can't even leave our street, let alone reach Wuhan."
It comes after the World Health Organization (WHO) declared an international public health emergency over the outbreak. The British nationals who have arrived in the UK will be transported to an NHS staff accommodation block at Arrowe Park Hospital.
The virus has caused 213 deaths in China - where there are now 9,962 confirmed cases - and spread to 18 other countries.
Meanwhile, Virgin Atlantic said it has suspended its flights to Shanghai for two weeks from 1 February, urging affected customers to contact them to receive a refund.
It follows British Airways' decision to extend its cancellation of services to mainland China until 29 February.
Downing Street had been pressing Beijing to allow spouses or partners of UK nationals to travel on the Wuhan flight, after several Britons said family members with Chinese citizenship were not being permitted to travel by local authorities.
Wirral West MP Margaret Greenwood said she was told by Health Secretary Matt Hancock that the government did not think any of the people being flown back from Wuhan would be carrying the virus.
They will be put in "supported isolation" for 14 days with "all necessary medical attention", a Downing Street spokesman said.They will be put in "supported isolation" for 14 days with "all necessary medical attention", a Downing Street spokesman said.
The Britons on the flight will be housed in an NHS staff accommodation block at Arrowe Park Hospital.
Wirral Council said it was a separate building from the wards, adding: "All services in the hospital are running as usual including emergency services, outpatients and planned surgery. Staff working in the hospital will not be in contact with these UK citizens."Wirral Council said it was a separate building from the wards, adding: "All services in the hospital are running as usual including emergency services, outpatients and planned surgery. Staff working in the hospital will not be in contact with these UK citizens."
The Wirral University Teaching Hospital NHS Foundation Trust, located in the hospital, said hospital staff will not be in contact with people in isolation "at any time".
But a group of local MPs have raised concerns about hospital staff, and have asked the government for assurances on matters including safeguards and where the staff treating the patients will come from.
Meanwhile, Virgin Atlantic has suspended flights to Shanghai for two weeks from 1 February, urging affected customers to contact them to receive a refund.
It follows British Airways' decision to extend its cancellation of services to mainland China until 29 February.
Most cases of coronavirus have emerged in people who have travelled from Wuhan.Most cases of coronavirus have emerged in people who have travelled from Wuhan.
However, there have been eight cases of human-to-human infection - in Germany, Japan, Vietnam and the United States.However, there have been eight cases of human-to-human infection - in Germany, Japan, Vietnam and the United States.
The new virus has now infected more people in China than fell ill during the 2002-2003 severe acute respiratory syndrome (Sars) outbreak. The number of cases has jumped to 9,962, country's National Health Commission said, surpassing the 5,327 people diagnosed with Sars.The new virus has now infected more people in China than fell ill during the 2002-2003 severe acute respiratory syndrome (Sars) outbreak. The number of cases has jumped to 9,962, country's National Health Commission said, surpassing the 5,327 people diagnosed with Sars.
However, the death toll is lower than the 348 people who died in China from Sars.However, the death toll is lower than the 348 people who died in China from Sars.
Learn more about the new virusLearn more about the new virus
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