York student one of confirmed UK coronavirus cases

A student at the University of York is one of two individuals who have tested positive for coronavirus in the UK, a spokesperson for the university has confirmed.

The student and a family member are the first in the UK to have been infected with the virus. Health officials confirmed the cases on Friday 31 January.

They were staying at a StayCity hotel in York and are now being treated at a specialist unit in Newcastle.

259 people have been killed and 12,000 people have been infected by coronavirus worldwide.

The spokesperson for the university said that Public Health England has advised university officials that the risk of infection being passed on campus is “low”.

Public Health England (PHE) have confirmed that one of the two individuals recently reported to have tested positive for coronavirus is a student at the University of York, but that risk of infection on campus remains low. Full information and updates: https://t.co/MIUqrcyOzn

— University of York (@UniOfYork) February 1, 2020

They continued in a statement: “Public Health England (PHE) have informed us that one of the two individuals to have tested positive for coronavirus is a student at the University of York.

“We understand this development will cause concern and anxiety among our students, staff, and the wider community.

“PHE has advised us that the risk of infection being passed to others on campus is low. Current information from PHE suggests that the student did not come into contact with anybody on campus whilst they had symptoms, but investigations are ongoing to fully establish this.

“Our immediate concerns are for the affected student and family, along with the health and continued wellbeing of our staff, students and visitors.”

The hotel firm has said the apartment involved has been thoroughly disinfected and that PHE is providing support.