Coronavirus: First Hampshire patient had recently travelled to Italy

The patient is being treated in London, with Public Health England working to identify anyone who has had close contact with the individual.

Alison Barnett, Centre Director for Public Health England South East, said: ‘Public Health England is contacting people who had close contact with this person, who is a resident of Hampshire and had recently travelled to Italy.

‘Those identified, will be given health advice about symptoms and emergency contact details to use if they become unwell in the 14-day intervening period.

‘If you have not been contacted by Public Health England as a close contact of the confirmed case, you do not need to take any action at this time.

‘This tried and tested method will ensure we are able to minimise any risks to those contacted and the wider public.’

Hampshire County Council’s Director of Public Health, Simon Bryant, said: ‘I’d like to reassure people that the risk to the general public remains low and we are working with health colleagues to do everything we can to stop the virus spreading and ensure the people of Hampshire are protected as much as possible.”

It comes as Public Health England has announced the number of cases in the UK rose to 51 today.

A statement from the organisation said eight patients had recently travelled from Italy, one from Germany, one from Singapore, one from Japan, and one from Iran.

The patients are from Hampshire, London, Northamptonshire, Bury, Wirral, Greater Manchester, Humberside, and Kent.

People concerned they may have the symptoms of coronavirus are advised to self-isolate and call 111.