ONE hundred people returning to the UK tomorrow from Wuhan following the outbreak of the coronavirus are set to be quarantined in Wirral, it has been confirmed this evening.

They will be transported to a former student accommodation block at the site.

Their flight is set to leave Wuhan city tonight and is expected to arrive at RAF airbase Brize Norton, in Oxfordshire tomorrow.

The news was confirmed by Janelle Holmes, chief executive of Wirral University Hospital, in a message to staff this evening.

It read: “Dear colleagues, You will be aware of the current situation in Wuhan City, China and the novel coronavirus outbreak.

"While there are no confirmed cases in the UK, I am writing to you to inform you of some next steps.

"Around 100 British citizens will be travelling to the UK from China tomorrow.

"As a precaution they will remain in isolation for 14 days following their arrival in the UK.

"We will be welcoming and housing them in the accommodation block at Arrowe Park Hospital.

"Before arrival they will be screened for symptoms. If anyone becomes unwell after arrival they will be treated following appropriate protocols.”

While they are being monitored they will have access to medical staff, and it is understood they will have the internet and be able to make contact with family.

So far 170 people have died from the virus in China and there is over 7,700 confirmed cases so far.

As of January 29, a total of 130 UK tests have concluded, of which 130 were confirmed negative and 0 positive.

British Airways has extended the cancellation of all its flights to and from mainland China up to and including February 29 due to the coronavirus.

The airline said: "We are contacting customers on cancelled flights so we can discuss their travel options, including re-booking onto other carriers where possible, full refunds or booking with BA for a later date of travel.

"Customers can also find the latest information and options on BA.com.

"Safety is at the heart of everything we do and we will keep the situation under review."

The UK was working "urgently" with Chinese authorities on Thursday to ensure citizens in Wuhan can return on a flight "as soon as possible", Downing Street has said.

The Prime Minister's official spokesman said: "We are doing everything we can to get British people in Wuhan safely back to the UK.

"A number of countries' flights have been unable to take off as planned including the British repatriation from Wuhan.

"We are working urgently with the Chinese authorities to ensure that the flight can take off as soon as possible."

Responding to an urgent question in the House of Lords on the outbreak, Health Minister Baroness Blackwood of North Oxford said the action taken by the UK Government was "very proportionate, but also robust".

She told peers that of the 131 tests so far carried out in the UK, all had been negative with no confirmed cases.

Lady Blackwood said: "I do believe we should be confident in the actions we have taken.

"They are measured, they are proportionate, but they are based on the highest level of scientific and clinical advice from our Chief Medical Officer and Public Health England. We will, of course, keep it under continued review."