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Coronavirus has now claimed the lives of more than 3,000 people around the world - and 36 patients in the UK have been identified as testing positive for COVID 19. The outbreak has sparked
global fears, with thousands of people choosing to don masks in a bid to avoid the horrible illness.
On Sunday alone, 13 new patients in the UK were diagnosed with the virus.
The latest cases included one person in Scotland, meaning the illness has now reach all four parts of the UK.
While three of the new cases in England were linked to a man from Surrey, who was the first patient to not have been abroad recently - suggesting he was infected within the UK.
Medical Director Prof Paul Cosford says the country must be prepared for the further spread of the disease, warning widespread transmission is now "highly likely”.
Speaking on ITV's Good Morning Britain: "At the moment, the vast majority of cases we see in the UK are still linked to countries where there is more widespread infection, either in Italy or
south east Asia.
"It is true to say there is a small number now where it is much more difficult to find that link, and that is leading us to think we may well see more widespread infection in the UK fairly
soon.
"It could happen in the next few days or it could take a little longer."
His warning comes as the EU has raised the risk of coronavirus from moderate to high.
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Public Health England is not advising schools to shut - but some have decided to send pupils and staff home as a result of the potentially deadly virus.
The health agency says that if children, pupils, students or staff become unwell and believe they have been exposed to COVID-19 they should follow the following steps:
"Call NHS 111, or 999 in an emergency (if they are seriously ill or injured or their life is at risk), and if appropriate, explain which country they have returned from in the last 14 days.
"You can do this on their behalf if this is easier. People who become unwell should be advised not to go to their GP, pharmacy, urgent care centre or a hospital.
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"Whilst you wait for advice from NHS 111 or an ambulance to arrive, try to find somewhere safe for the unwell person to sit which is at least 2 metres away from other people. If possible,
find a room or area where they can be isolated behind a shut door, such as a staff office or meeting room. If it is possible to open a window, do so for ventilation. They should avoid
touching people, surfaces and objects and be advised to cover their mouth and nose with a disposable tissue when they cough or sneeze and put the tissue in the bin. If no bin is available,
put the tissue in a bag or pocket for disposing in a bin later. If you don’t have any tissues available, they should cough and sneeze into the crook of their elbow. The room will need to be
cleaned once they leave.
I"f they need to go to the bathroom whilst waiting for medical assistance, they should use a separate bathroom if available.
"Make sure that children and young people know to tell a member of staff if they feel unwell."
You can read all the coronavirus advice for schools here.
PHE says there are general principles anyone can follow to help prevent the spread of respiratory viruses, including:
In Kent, a group of school children who had just returned from a week-long trip to Italy has been asked to self isolate.
The pupils, from Homewood School in Tenterden, are not showing any signs of COVD 19.
But the headteacher advised parents to keep their children away from school until further notice.
Principal Jeremy Single said: “Following numerous communications with colleagues, parents and representatives from Kent County Council, I have taken the decision to ask the staff and
students involved in the ski trip to Italy over this past week not to attend school until further notice.
“This is an additional precaution from the advice given by Public Health England in order to reassure all members of the school community at an uncertain and emotional time.
“I apologise that this is a change in circumstances, although I am sure you can appreciate my caution in making this decision.”
Two schools in Berkshire are now shut for deep cleaning after a staff member tested positive for the virus.
Parents of Aldryngton Primary School in Earley and Willow Bank Infant School in Woodley have been told to keep their children at home on March 2, before they reopen again tomorrow.
A school in Tetbury will be closed until at least Wednesday after a staff member tested positive for COVID-19.
Five schools in Devon have also closed, citing "concerns" a member of the community has got coronavirus.
And two pupils at a school in Malmesbury, Wiltshire, have been placed in self-isolation.
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