Two more coronavirus cases detected in Northern Ireland taking UK total to 87

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Jacob Jarvis4 March 2020

Two more coronavirus cases have been detected in Northern Ireland, according to health authorities.

One of the patients had recently travelled to northern Italy, amid the nation dealing with one of the worst outbreaks of the virus in Europe.

The other had been in contact with someone elsewhere in the UK who has since tested positive, Stormont health officials said.

The results of the Covid-19 tests are being sent to England for verification.

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A Department of Health statement said: "Testing of patients in Northern Ireland has resulted in two further presumptive positive results for coronavirus (Covid-19), bringing the total to three since testing began.

“In line with established protocols, these Northern Ireland test outcomes have been sent to Public Health England laboratories for verification."

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The statement added: “The two cases are not connected. One individual recently travelled from Northern Italy. The other had recent contact with a person elsewhere in the UK who has subsequently tested positive for Covid-19.

“Both patients are adults and are receiving appropriate care. Public Health Agency personnel are working rapidly to identify contacts they may have had, with the aim of preventing further spread.”

Earlier it was announced that 34 more cases had been confirmed in Britain, taking the British total to 85 . The UK total now stands at 87.

The spike came as England’s chief medical officer Professor Chris Whitty warned that an epidemic is now “highly likely”.Before today’s surge the UK total stood at 51 cases. The Department of Health said that as of 9am on Wednesday 16,659 people had been tested in the UK.

The majority of those infected so far are people who have returned from countries suffering outbreaks.

However, health chiefs now suspect the infection is being passed on here as well. A case in Surrey and another in Essex which at least initially were not thought to be linked to foreign outbreaks.

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