Coronavirus: Hampshire university student returning from China in isolation after feeling unwell

The University of Southampton student was tested in Southampton General Hospital yesterday after travelling straight from the airport and did not visit the Mayflower Halls campus where they live.

A University of Southampton spokesman said: ‘Yesterday (3 February 2020), one of our residents at Mayflower Halls returned from China and transferred directly from the airport to their flat without visiting campus.

‘Having then felt unwell, they did exactly the right thing, self-isolated and referred themselves to the NHS. As a precautionary measure an ambulance was called to take them to Southampton General Hospital for tests.

‘The individual has since been discharged by the NHS but in accordance with Public Health England’s official guidance will remain in self-isolation.

‘We have spoken to the student’s flatmates and, also following the guidance from PHE, they have agreed to self-isolate until we receive further clarification from local health services. In addition, we have deep cleaned communal areas within the flat as well as associated lifts to help reinforce the best practice that is already being followed.

‘Our students’ welfare is our primary concern and our Residences and Student Life teams are providing a 24 hour service to support any student concerns in the halls.’

It comes as the government have urged Britons to leave as coronavirus continues to claim more lives in the country.

Chinese authorities said today that the death toll in mainland China from the coronavirus outbreak has risen to 425, with the number of cases now standing at 20,438.

The Foreign Office amended its travel advice after Health Secretary Matt Hancock said he expects more cases of the virus to be diagnosed in the UK.

The Foreign Office has declined to say how many British nationals in Hubei province have come forward to say they wish to return to the UK - but the last flights out of Wuhan are expected to leave this week.

Mr Hancock added: ‘We haven't seen the peak of the coronavirus by a long stretch and we expect more cases in the UK.

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‘We have a full plan in place to treat all those who have symptoms and test positively for coronavirus and we are working with international partners both to slow the spread and also to do the research that we need to do to find a vaccine.’

Two people, a University of York student and one of their relatives, continue to be treated for coronavirus in the specialist infectious diseases unit at Newcastle Royal Victoria Infirmary.