One of the new cases of coronavirus in the UK is a health worker at a cancer centre in Middlesex, NHS officials have confirmed.
In a statement, East and North Hertfordshire NHS Trust confirmed that a clinician at its Mount Vernon Cancer Centre had tested positive for Covid–19.
However, the risk to patients and staff at the centre remains “very low”, the trust said.
“We are very well prepared for incidents like this and the NHS and Public Health England are taking all necessary steps to manage the situation,” the statement read.
“All individuals who were in contact with the clinician have been identified and the appropriate measures taken.”
The centre – a specialised cancer treatment unit in Northwood – remains open.
The coronavirus case is among the 36 which have been reported in the UK, with the figure jumping by 13 on Sunday.
It included the first incidence of Covid–19 in Scotland, meaning the virus has now reached all four parts of the UK.
To date, 11,750 people have been tested for coronavirus in the UK.
Prime minister Boris Johnson – who will chair an emergency Cobra meeting about Covid-19 on Monday – has said there is “little doubt” the virus will present a “significant challenge” for the UK.
Meanwhile, health secretary Matt Hancock refused to rule out British cities on lockdown to prevent the spread of the infection.
He told the BBC’s Andrew Marr programme: “There is clearly a huge economic and social downside to (shutting down cities).
“But we don’t take anything off the table at this stage because you have to make sure you have all the tools available if that is what is necessary.”