York hotel confirmed to be at the centre of the Coronavirus outbreak in England
Two patients in England, who have tested positive for coronavirus, were staying at the StayCity Hotel in York, it has been confirmed.
The company says they've been told there is "minimal ongoing risk of infection" and therefore remains open for business.
The pair, who are from the same family, being treated by Newcastle upon Tyne Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust in its specialist Airborne High Consequences Infectious Disease Centre (HCID).
It is understood that they travelled to the UK from China recently and are undergoing treatment at the Newcastle Royal Victoria Infirmary.
An outbreak investigation team has been formed to trace anyone who has been in contact with the pair to prevent the illness spreading.
It comes as 83 UK citizens have been flown back from Wuhan province, where the outbreak started.
Public Health England have confirmed the two people being treated for the Coronavirus in Newcastle had been staying in York when they fell ill.
Professor Sharon Peacock, director of the National Infection Service at PHE, said: "Public Health England is contacting people who had close contact with the confirmed cases.
"The two cases were staying in York when they became unwell.
"Close contacts will be given health advice about symptoms and emergency contact details to use if they become unwell in the 14 days after contact with the confirmed cases.
"This tried and tested method will ensure we are able to minimise any risk to them and the wider public."
Earlier, Prof Peacock said that while staff are working to trace people who have been in contact with the pair, they do not currently have "any idea" of how high that number might be.
On Wednesday night, the StayCity apartment-hotel in York was put on lockdown when some family members, believed to be Chinese nationals, were taken to hospital after falling ill.
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StayCity have also confirmed that two people staying in one of their apartments in York have tested positive for coronavirus.
The company says they've been told there is "minimal ongoing risk of infection" and therefore the York location remains open for business.
''We have now received confirmation that two guests staying in one ofour apartments in York have been tested positive for the coronavirus.''
''We have been advised by Public Health England that there is minimal ongoing risk of infection to either guests or staff, and as such our York property remains open for business.
''In due course the apartment concerned will undergo a thorough environmental clean and disinfection by a specialist contractor.''
''We would like to reassure all our guests that we are following official advice on this matter and that the health and safety of everyone working and staying in our properties remains of paramount importance to us.''