More on KentOnline
More on KentOnline
A person admitted to a Kent hospital after fears they had coronavirus is not thought to be suffering from the deadly condition.
A member of staff at Buckland Hospital in Dover earlier confirmed a patient had been isolated but said the site's Minor Injuries department is open as usual, however sources have since revealed it is no longer thought to be the deadly virus.
East Kent Hospitals University Foundation Trust has refused to comment.
It is understood the individual, thought to be male, is still in isolation but their symptoms are not consistent with coronavirus.
It comes as four more people have been diagnosed in the UK, bringing the total number of confirmed cases to eight.
Globally there has been more than 40,000 cases of the virus, mostly in China.
The total number of deaths in China currently stands at 908.
The Department of Health has described the coronavirus as a "serious and imminent threat" to public health but the overall risk level to the UK remains "moderate".
The government has issued new powers in England to keep people in quarantine to stop the virus spreading.
The Department of Health said it would not comment outside of the eight confirmed cases in the UK.
They added that any new confirmed cases in the UK will be announced by the Chief Medical Officer for England, Professor Chris Whitty.
Testing for the virus typically takes 24 hours.
Despite the virus not being confirmed in Dover, The Port of Dover and cross channel ferry operator DFDS were asked what extra precautions they are taking for passengers.
A Port of Dover spokesperson said: “The Port of Dover continues to take advice from Public Health England regarding the Coronavirus and the risk to the maritime industry is currently low. Along with the rest of the transport sector, we are distributing government health advice to the travelling public to raise awareness of the symptoms and will continue to monitor the situation.”
A DFDS spokesman said: "We are in touch with the relevant authorities within UK government and we advise passengers to regularly check their official advice on Coronavirus, which is available online at www.gov.uk.
"We will provide further information for our passengers via our website and our social media channels should the circumstances change."
More as we get it.
