Coronavirus fears have reached Cumbria, as there are unconfirmed reports of people self-quarantining.

There are currently nine confirmed cases of the virus in the UK at the moment, although the Department for Health has confirmed that as of yesterday, a total of 2,521 people have been tested.

Based on the World Health Organization’s declaration that this is a public health emergency of international concern, the UK Chief Medical Officers have raised the risk to the public from low to moderate.

The Department of Health will only comment to confirm cases, while North Cumbria Clinical Commissioning Group has referred all such inquiries to the Government body.

Last week there were fears that somebody in the Wigton area had contracted the disease, after they attended a GP practice.

However, that is understood to have been negative.

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Procedures to deep clean the practice were immediately put in place, in accordance with DoH guidelines.

In the case of the west Cumbria self-quarantine case, it is thought to be staff at a Chinese restaurant.

While there is no suggestion they have been in any affected areas of China, unconfirmed reports say they have self-quarantined as a precaution.

In the south of Cumbria the hospitals have already confirmed that pop-up isolation pods have been installed, in preparation for any cases.

The situation at the north Cumbria hospitals is as yet unknown.

Anyone who suspects they may have coronavirus is advised not to attend hospital or their local doctors' practice, but instead to call 111.