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Arrowe Park hospital is braced for an influx of around 100 Brits who will be kept under quarantine over the coronavirus.

The chief executive said they are expected to be on the site for 14 days from tomorrow.

A flight is set to depart Wuhan city tonight, where the virus is suspected to have originated, and will land in Oxfordshire on Friday morning.

Around 100 British citizens will then make their way in convoy to Arrowe Park in Wirral.

They will be staying on hospital grounds at a former student accommodation block.

Janelle Holmes, chief executive of Wirral University Hospital NHS Foundation Trust, sent a message to staff this evening.

It says: “Dear colleagues, You will be aware of the current situation in Wuhan City, China and the novel coronavirus outbreak.

"While there are no confirmed cases in the UK, I am writing to you to inform you of some next steps.

Follow our coronavirus live blog with all of the latest updates

"Around 100 British citizens will be travelling to the UK from China tomorrow.

"As a precaution they will remain in isolation for 14 days following their arrival in the UK.

(Image: AP)

"We will be welcoming and housing them in the accommodation block at Arrowe Park Hosptial.

"Before arrival they will be screened for symptoms. If anyone becomes unwell after arrival they will be treated following appropriate protocols.

"Over the coming days you may see increased activity near the accommodation block and you may also see media on site.

"Out of courtesy (for) the individuals and families who will be staying on our site, please be aware of our social media policy and please take extra care around any social messaging at this time."

The ECHO understands all passengers will be taken to the same location.

They are then due to be held in quarantine for up to two weeks.

While they are being monitored they will have access to medical staff, and it is understood they will have the internet and be able to make contact with family.

The flight, which will have military medics on board, is due to leave Wuhan city at 5am local time on Friday morning, which is 9pm on Thursday evening UK time.

In a statement, Dominic Raab said: "We are pleased to have confirmation from the Chinese authorities that the evacuation flight from Wuhan airport to the UK can depart at 5am local time on Friday 31 January.

"The safety and security of British nationals is our top priority.

(Image: Getty Images)

"Our Embassy in Beijing and consular teams remain in close contact with British nationals in the region to ensure they have the latest information they need."

The flight comes as the World Health Organisation (WHO) declared the "whole world needs to be on alert" over the new coronavirus outbreak.

The number of cases of coronavirus has jumped to 7,711, with 170 deaths.

Coronavirus: Department of Health advice About the virus



A coronavirus is a type of virus. As a group, coronaviruses are common across the world. Typical symptoms of coronavirus include fever and a cough that may progress to a severe pneumonia causing shortness of breath and breathing difficulties. Novel coronavirus (2019-nCov) is a new strain of coronavirus first identified in Wuhan City, China.



Advice for travellers from Wuhan



If you have returned from Wuhan in the last 14 days you are advised to stay indoors and avoid contact with other people as you would with other flu viruses. Call NHS 111 to inform them of your recent travel to the city.



If you develop symptoms



If you develop a fever, cough, runny nose, sore throat or difficulty breathing, you should follow the advice above and are asked not to leave your home until you been given advice by a clinician.

India confirmed its first case on Thursday, as did the Philippines.

British Airways has extended its suspension of all flights to and from mainland China until Monday.

Virgin Atlantic flights between Heathrow and Shanghai are continuing to operate as scheduled.

(Image: Getty Images)

The Department of Health said that, as of Thursday, a total of 161 UK tests have concluded, of which 161 were confirmed negative and 0 positive.

There are currently no confirmed cases in the UK or of UK citizens abroad, and the risk to the public is low, the department stated on its website.

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A statement added: "The government is monitoring the situation closely and will continue to work with the World Health Organization (WHO) and international community."

A Number 10 spokesman said: "I can confirm passengers will include around 50 foreign - mainly EU - nationals.

"Once the flight has landed in the UK to drop British nationals off - the flight will land in Brize Norton - British nationals will get off and the flight will continue on to Spain."

The spokesman added: "The plane was chartered from a Spanish company so it made sense for us and the Spanish government to allow EU nationals to return via Spain."

For more information on the coronavirus visit the government website.