Health authorities say coronavirus risk remains low in UK

The United Kingdom health agency Public Health England says no cases of coronavirus have been detected in the UK as of Friday afternoon and the risk to the public there remains low.

The agency made the announcement on Friday afternoon after UK Cabinet ministers and security services representatives gathered for an emergency committee meeting – known as COBRA – to discuss the coronavirus outbreak that has infected 830 people and killed 26 in the Chinese mainland.

"No confirmed cases of Wuhan coronavirus have been detected in the UK and the risk to the UK population is low," Public Health England, which is also known as PHE, said in a statement. "If you have traveled to the affected area, make sure you know what to do if you experience symptoms."

PHE also released a slideshow on social media as part of an information campaign about the virus.

The slides say any people who have visited Wuhan in the last 14 days should contact a health professional if they experience any of the following symptoms: a cough, runny nose, sore throat, fever, or difficulty breathing.

The COBRA meeting was chaired by UK Health Secretary Matt Hancock, who told the BBC that the "risk to British public from coronavirus remains low".