Two people have tested positive for the novel coronavirus in England, according to the country's Chief Medical Officer (CMO).

Chris Whitty on Friday said that the pair, who are members of the same family, were receiving "specialist NHS care," adding "we are using tried and tested infection control procedures to prevent further spread of the virus." 

The statement, released on the UK government's website, said: "We have been preparing for UK cases of novel coronavirus and we have robust infection control measures in place to respond immediately. We are continuing to work closely with the World Health Organization and the international community as the outbreak in China develops to ensure we are ready for all eventualities." 

It is currently unclear where the patients are located.  

Later on Friday 80 people, evacuated from the central Chinese city of Wuhan by plane, are expected to land at RAF Brize Norton base, Oxfordshire. The passengers will then be quarantined at the Arrowe Park Hospital on the Wirral for 14 days. 

Elsewhere in Europe, at the time of writing, there are five cases reported in Germany centering around a Bavarian car manufacturing plant. In Italy, two Chinese tourists visiting Rome tested positive for the virus. Finland has one case and France, which was the first European country to report infections, now has six confirmed cases. 

Wuhan is the epicenter of the outbreak which has infected almost 10,000 people, killing at least 213.