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Two patients with Coronavirus are being treated at Hallamshire Hospital in Sheffield.

The hospital posted the update on Facebook at 10.54pm last night (Sunday).

It reads: "We are caring for two patients with Coronavirus #COVID-19 in our specialist Infectious Diseases Unit at the Hallamshire Hospital.

"There is no risk to other patients or visitors coming to any of our hospitals because the Unit is self contained with a dedicated team of specialists and the patients have not been cared for in any other areas of our hospitals or community services.

"All our services are operating as normal and patients should attend their appointments or procedures as planned. Visiting arrangements are also not affected."

The post has had more than 1,600 shares.

Meg Entwhistle replied: "I've just been discharged from that ward today and unfortunately I'm on there a lot due to poor immunity to infections. E2 staff are amazing and no doubt will go above and beyond for said patients."

Helen Shipley said: "Safest place in the hospital with the most expert and caring staff."

Joanne Newton said: "Well done team. It’s a fantastic unit with well trained staff and great facilities. Thank goodness for the NHS."

Sue Bull said: "Sending love and support to my RHH colleagues who are caring for these patients, and healing positive thoughts to the patients themselves."

And Emma Darwent said: "Well done to all the staff on this ward treating patients that nobody else wants contact with."

The patients were among 30 repatriated Britons and two Irish citizens who were taken into quarantine at Arrowe Park Hospital in the Wirral. They had been on the Diamond Princess liner in Japan.

Four of those patients have now tested positive for Coronavirus - bringing the number of cases in the UK to 13.

Two patients are in the Royal Hallamshire in Sheffield, one is in the Royal in Liverpool and a fourth was transferred to the Royal Victoria Infirmary in Newcastle, NHS England said.

What is coronavirus?

WHO states on its website: “Coronaviruses are a large family of viruses found in both animals and humans.

“Some infect people and are known to cause illness ranging from the common cold to more severe diseases such as Middle East Respiratory Syndrome (Mers) and Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome (Sars).”

The novel form of virus commonly known as “coronavirus” has now been named Covid-19.

What are the symptoms of coronavirus?

(Image: Getty Images)





Public Health England (PHE) describes the symptoms of Covid-19 as being “flu-like”.

PHE said: “Based on current evidence, novel coronavirus (Covid-19) presents with flu-like symptoms including a fever, a cough or difficulty breathing.”

How did the coronavirus start?

On December 31, WHO’s China office heard the first reports of a previously-unknown virus in Wuhan, China.

WHO said: “It’s likely that an animal source from a live animal market in China was responsible for some of the first reported human infections. The animal source of the 2019-nCoV has not yet been identified.”

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Who started the coronavirus?

The virus Covid-19 cannot be traced back to one individual.

Is there a cure for coronavirus?

There is currently no vaccine for coronavirus. Patients are being treated at hospital and quarantined to further prevent its spread.

WHO states on its website: “To date, there is no specific medicine recommended to prevent or treat the novel coronavirus.

(Image: NHS/PA Wire)

“However, those infected with 2019-nCoV should receive appropriate care to relieve and treat symptoms, and those with severe illness should receive optimised supportive care.

“Some specific treatments are under investigation and will be tested through clinical trials. WHO is helping to co-ordinate efforts to develop medicines to treat nCoV with a range of partners.”

How is coronavirus spread?

NHS guidelines state “similar viruses” to Covid-19 are spread in cough droplets, meaning washing hands often with soap could be helpful in reducing the risk of catching the virus.

The NHS website states: “Because it’s a new illness, we do not know exactly how coronavirus spreads from person to person. Similar viruses spread in cough droplets.

“It’s highly unlikely coronavirus can be spread through packages from affected countries or through food.”

10. Is coronavirus airborne?

WHO states transmission of the virus is “yet to be assessed”, but it is believed it can be spread in cough droplets.

The organisation said on its website: “For the new coronavirus, we still need to see the data and understand how transmission has been assessed.”

The European Centre for Disease Prevention and Control states: “Although there is so far no evidence of airborne transmission, we recommend a cautious approach due to lack of studies excluding this mode of transmission.”