University of Portsmouth issues coronavirus warning to students

THE CITY’S university is warning its students against all but essential travel to Wuhan in China, the city where the potentially deadly coronavirus is believed to have originated.
The University of Portsmouth has warned students about travelling to a city in China where the coronavirus first emerged.The University of Portsmouth has warned students about travelling to a city in China where the coronavirus first emerged.
The University of Portsmouth has warned students about travelling to a city in China where the coronavirus first emerged.

With ‘hundreds’ of Chinese students enrolled on courses at the University of Portsmouth one area of potential concern surrounds those who may have travelled back to China, particularly with the Chinese New Year being celebrated on Saturday January 25.

A University of Portsmouth spokesman said: ‘In line with the latest Foreign and Commonwealth Office (FCO) advice, the University has contacted all staff and students and is now advising against all but essential travel to Wuhan.‘Any staff or students who have recently visited Wuhan or other parts of China and are worried should follow the guidelines set out by Public Health England on their website.’

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Chinese authorities are taking extreme measures to prevent the spread o the potentially fatal Coronavirus.

Photo: Xiong Qi/Xinhua via APChinese authorities are taking extreme measures to prevent the spread o the potentially fatal Coronavirus.

Photo: Xiong Qi/Xinhua via AP
Chinese authorities are taking extreme measures to prevent the spread o the potentially fatal Coronavirus. Photo: Xiong Qi/Xinhua via AP
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The university added that it has extended the advice to staff and students who ‘have travelled to other parts of China and other countries where the virus has been identified’.

With thousands of Chinese students studying in the UK the situation in Portsmouth is replicated nationally.

The spokesman for vice-chancellors’ group, Universities UK, said: ‘Ensuring the safety and welfare of their students is a top priority for universities. UK universities have been monitoring the coronavirus situation as it unfolds and universities with students in affected areas are working to identify appropriate actions.’

The potentially fatal virus has so far claimed the lives of 26 people across China with 830 cases having been confirmed nationally.

Anyone who has visited China and develops flu like symptoms within 14 days is advised to ‘seek medical attention straightaway’.

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