Number of confirmed coronavirus cases in UK continues to rise
and live on Freeview channel 276
Its daily update on confirmed cases of the virus, also known as COVID-19, said the number had increased to 273 as of 9am on March 8. The figure stood at 206 at the same time on March 7.
It comes as a third person in Leeds had tested positive for coronavirus, taking the total of confirmed cases in Yorkshire up to 10. A spokeswoman for the Department of Health said due to the volume of coronavirus patients it can no longer comment on individual cases.
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Hide AdThe Health Secretary has praised a group of people released from quarantine after returning from a coronavirus-hit cruise ship for setting a "good example" to the public.
A group of 30 Britons and two Irish nationals were released from isolation at Arrowe Park Hospital in the Wirral on Sunday having been given the all-clear from infection.
They were repatriated from Japan last month having been passengers on the coronavirus-stricken Diamond Princess cruise ship.
Around 700 people caught the illness while the ship was held in quarantine for several weeks - more than a quarter of the 2,600 people on board.
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Hide AdThanking Arrowe Park's staff and the quarantined group, Mr Hancock said: "Tackling coronavirus is a national effort and they have set a good example for the rest of the public as more people may need to self-isolate themselves at home.
"Public safety is our top priority and we all have a part to play in containing the spread of the virus."