Coronavirus panic as UK evacuee ‘taken ill’ on way to quarantine after return flight and rushed to separate ho

A BRITISH evacuee from coronavirus-hit China has been taken ill after landing back in the UK, according to reports.

The patient has reportedly been rushed to hospital after feeling unwell on the second emergency evacuation flight carrying 11 British nationals from Wuhan to RAF Brize Norton in Oxfordshire.

A man wearing a face mask and carrying a baby disembarks from the plane at Brize Norton last nightCredit: London News Pictures

Two more people, who will be quarantined in Merseyside, exit the jet which flew from BeijingCredit: London News Pictures

The passengers will spend two weeks in isolation at Arrowe Park Hospital in the WirralCredit: Doug Seeburg – The Sun

Only ten passengers were taken to Arrowe Park Hospital on the Wirral, to join the 83 already in quarantine from last week’s first repatriation flight, the Liverpool Echo reports.

The hospital the 11th person has been taken to for treatment is yet to be named.

It is understood the other ten passengers will be isolated from the first 83 returnees as tests are carried out on the ill person.

An internal from Janelle Holmes, chief executive of Arrowe Park, that was seen by the ECHO read: “Dear all, as you know, we were expecting a further 11 people, repatriated from Wuhan in China, to arrive and join you in the accommodation block at Arrowe Park Hospital last night.

“During the flight, one of the passengers started to feel slightly unwell, and self-isolated immediately. Upon landing, that passenger remains isolated, and was taken to another NHS hospital for tests.

“We expect test results in the coming days, and will keep you updated.

“None of the other 10 patients have shown any symptoms, but as a precautionary measure the 10 new guests were allocated rooms in a separate area of the facility, isolated from those already here.

“As we have previously said, staff supporting those in the accommodation block are following strict clinical guidance and protocols to ensure everyone remains safe.”

The last flight to rescue Brits from Wuhan will leave tomorrow and is believed to be shared with patients from New Zealand, meaning British passengers on board will be quarantined there before returning to the UK.

Pictures from the tarmac at Brize Norton show passengers wearing face masks disembarking from the jet.

A baby being carried in a cot was among the passengers, the images show.

The group, who secured seats on a French flight leaving Beijing thanks to the British embassy, will spend 14 days in quarantine, Foreign Secretary Dominic Raab said.

He told Sky: “It’s correct that there is a further French flight that is expected back in Europe today and that will carry some UK nationals.”

Mr Raab had said 11 British nationals would be returning but the Foreign Office later confirmed the group includes a mix of British nationals, including three children, and some of their relatives.

It comes as a man in the Philippines became the first person to die from the virus outside China.

Doctorlink, the UK’s leading Symptom Assessment has updated its app to diagnose Coronavirus.

Patients using the app with flu like symptoms including fever, fatigue, sore throat, dry cough, breathing difficulties will be asked additional questions regarding their travel or exposure to affected areas.

If the system believes they are at risk of Coronavirus it tells them to stay at home and call 111 rather than going to see their GP.

The death toll has risen above 300 and the number of confirmed cases of infection increased to 14,380, Chinese authorities said.

The Foreign Secretary said the Government is doing all it can to help Britons in Wuhan – where the virus originated – leave if they want to.

A coach leaves RAF Brize Norton containing those evacuated from ChinaCredit: PA:Press Association

Appearing on the BBC’s Andrew Marr Show, he said: “We’ll do everything we can to make sure that those that still want to leave, give them the opportunity to do so,” he said.

He added: “The challenge that we’ve got, and the Chinese have got frankly, is to contain the virus but also then to lift out people that want to come back home and we’re doing that as sensitively and as effectively as we can.”

Some of the 83 Britons holed up quarantine in the Wirral shared video footage of their first hours in a locked NHS staff accommodation block following their arrival back in the UK on Friday’s evacuation flight.

They showed the food and other essential items including televisions and Playstations – which will help sustain them for their 14 days in isolation.

The latest repatriation flight comes as the Government launched a public health campaign advising people how to slow the spread of the virus.

A University of York student and their relative remain the only two confirmed cases in the UK.

From Sunday, advertisements advising people to use tissues when sneezing or coughing and wash their hands regularly will appear in newspapers, on the radio and on social media.

The ads will also target publications and forums in the UK known to be read by Chinese nationals here, the Department of Health said.

Health Secretary Matt Hancock said UK medics are working “round the clock” to prevent the spread of the illness, but added the general public can do its bit.

He said: “Basic hygiene such as washing our hands regularly and using tissues when we cough and sneeze can play an important role in minimising the spread of viruses like this.”

The Foreign Office, which has withdrawn some staff from China and closed the British Consulate-General in Wuhan, said it is continuing to work with EU countries to add remaining Britons to any rescue flights they may charter back from Wuhan.

A spokesman for the Foreign Office (FCO) said: “The Government is in touch with British nationals who remain in Wuhan, and are doing everything we can to bring them home as safely and quickly as possible.”