One of the two victims who tested positive for the new coronavirus in the UK is a student at the University of York.

The pair – members of the same family – were taken ill at a Staycity apartment-hotel in York in North Yorkshire. They have since been shifted to a specialist unit in Newcastle for treatment.

In a statement on Saturday, a university spokesman said: "We understand this development will cause concern and anxiety among our students, staff, and the wider community. PHE (Public Health England) has advised us that the risk of infection being passed to others on campus is low.

"Current information from PHE suggests that the student did not come into contact with anybody on campus whilst they had symptoms, but investigations are ongoing to fully establish this. Our immediate concerns are for the affected student and family, along with the health and continued wellbeing of our staff, students and visitors."

The spokesman added that the university was operating as usual. Staycity said the flat where the victims were staying has been disinfected.

The new coronavirus, which originated from the China's Wuhan city in Hubei province, has killed more than 200 people and infected more than 10,000.

The World Health Organization (WHO) announced an international public health emergency after the epidemic spread to 18 countries.

Last Friday, a chartered Boeing 747 carrying 83 Britons and 27 foreign passport-holders arrived at RAF Brize Norton, a Royal Air Force base in central England, from Wuhan.

The UK citizens after disembarking were taken to a hospital in Wirral, Merseyside, where they will remain in quarantine for two weeks.

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