BBC’s Nick Robinson tested for coronavirus and Channel 4’s Jon Snow in isolation after return from Vietnam and Iran
THE BBC's Nick Robinson has been tested for coronavirus and Channel 4 News' Jon Snow is in isolation after they returned from Vietnam and Iran.
The Today programme presenter faces at least 48 hours in quarantine as he awaits the results of the test.
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And yesterday Snow announced he would be in isolation after reporting in Iran - which has had the highest number of virus deaths outside of China.
He said he wasn't showing any symptoms but had taken the precaution to stay in self-isolation to be safe.
Robinson tweeted: "Two days self isolation at home. What to watch/read? The Irishman?
"United beating Watford? Democratic debate? Any other thoughts.
"Need light relief after reading brilliant but harrowing books about. Vietnam War & Killing Fields.
"Thoughts go to all those on NHS frontline working to keep us safe from coronavirus.
"Thanks to staff at @WhitHealth who tested me last night on return from great holiday in Vietnam & Cambodia. Routine precautionary check on doctors advice. Hope for all clear within 48 hours."
According to the latest World Health Organisation report on the Covid-19 outbreak, issued this morning, there were 16 confirmed cases in Vietnam and 139 cases with 19 deaths in Iran.
In 2015 Robinson was diagnosed with lung cancer. He had treatment and an operation which successfully removed the tumour, but damaged his vocal chords.
Snow said that he is "not really supposed to congregate with any crowds or go anywhere where there may be people", adding: "So that means I'm sitting at home.
"To be honest, the absolute enormity of the prospect of 14 days hasn't really hit me."
He added: "Maybe if you call me again in 14 days you will have a headcase on your hands."
Snow's producer and cameraman are also self-isolating after the trip to Iran.
A BBC spokesperson said: "BBC News is totally compliant with all up-to-date medical advice in all parts of the world. We are speaking to our foreign correspondents daily about their safety.
"They are taking the precautions advised by the WHO, U.K. and Chinese authorities plus our own safety advisers. In the UK, internal BBC advice has been circulated to all staff in newsgathering".
The head of Iran's virus task force, who just a day earlier gave a news conference in Tehran in which he tried to minimise the danger posed by the outbreak, tested positive for the illness yesterday.
His diagnosis came amid a worsening outbreak of coronavirus in the country.
Ministers are now considering the assumption that more than 50million people in the UK could catch the killer bug.
UK 'INFECTED'
A memo seen by The Sun last night states that the “reasonable worst case” involves “up to 80 per cent of the population being infected”.
Public Health England now plans to test thousands of patients with flu-like symptoms via 11 hospitals and 100 GP practices to see if the virus has spread into the population.
It was today reported that anyone suffering from a severe chest infection at eight NHS hospitals will now be automatically tested for coronavirus - even if they haven't been at an at-risk country.
Italy has become the first European country gripped by an outbreak with 11 fatal cases and another 322 diagnosed with the virus.
The UK government have advised anyone who has gone north of Pisa to self-isolate themselves.
The global death toll for virus, otherwise known as COVID-19, has now reached more than 2,760 while the number of cases worldwide sits at more than 81,000.
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England’s top doctor warned a global pandemic may lead to school closures, families quarantined and public transport shut down.
Chief medical officer Professor Chris Whitty said yesterday: “There’s no secret there’s a variety of things you need to look at, like school closures.”
Currently, only high-risk individuals are asked to stay at home to limit the spread of Covid-19.
