Get Bath news delivered direct to your inbox Join for free Thank you for subscribing See our privacy notice Invalid Email

A "member of the community" at the University of Bath is being tested for Coronavirus, the university confirmed tonight (February 10).

There have been more than 40,000 officially confirmed cases of the virus in total, mostly in China where the official death toll has reached 908.

In the UK, there have been eight cases of the virus.

UPDATE - Expert explains why 'drastic action' was taken in Bath

A spokesman for the University of Bath said: “A member of the university community is being tested for Coronavirus as a precaution and is self-isolating pending the outcome of the test results as advised by Public Health England (PHE).

"We are working closely with Public Health England and will continue to monitor the situation and support this individual."

Bristol Live has received reports the person being tested is a member of staff, but the university has not confirmed this.

Self-isolation is a form of voluntary quarantine where people has to make their own arrangements to avoid contact with others.

Out of the eight people in the UK to have been diagnosed with the illness, two are healthcare workers.

The Department of Health has called the virus a "serious and imminent threat" to public health, but the overall risk to the population is "moderate".

The University of Bath spokesman added: "The health and safety of our staff, students, visitors and the wider community is our top priority.

"We are communicating directly with staff and students, and signposting to the latest PHE advice.

“Anyone concerned about their health in relation to Coronavirus should follow PHE guidance and contact NHS 111 if the guidance advises them to do so.”

A hazmat unit dealt with a suspected case of Coronavirus in University of Bristol’s Wills Hall, Stoke Bishop, on January 30.

The student experiencing "flu-like symptoms" was later found to not be suffering from the illness.