A PASSENGER onboard a United Airlines Flight that was part of EIGHT planes put into lockdown at Heathrow in a Coronavirus alert previously travelled the world, Politicalite can exclusively reveal.
Andy West, Chief Development Officer for Hotwire PR regularly, travels the world and could have come into contact with the deadly virus.
A US company, told MailOnline that someone ‘became unwell’ on board on the San Francisco flight.
Sources alerted Politicalite to West’s previous travel telling this outlet: “Andy West did an interview about the coronavirus flight he was on.”
“West works for Hotwire PR as Chief Development Officer and regularly flys all over the world.”
Eight planes were put on lockdown after passengers on board complained of symptoms of the deadly virus.
The Daily Mail reported “Travellers on the United Airlines Flight 901 from San Francisco were told by the captain to stay in their seats after landing because someone might have the contagious infection, now named SARS-CoV-2.”
Andy West, from Henley-on-Thames, told MailOnline passengers were warned by the plane’s captain that they could be on the tarmac for a while because ‘seven other planes’ also had suspected cases.
WHAT IS CORONAVIRUS?
The coronavirus outbreak has been declared a global health emergency by the World Health Organisation (WHO). Close to 1,300 have died and more than 30,000 people have been infected with the respiratory disease which originated in the Wuhan city in China.
IS IT SAFE TO TRAVEL TO CHINA?
The Government has warned people not to travel to China. The official advise from the FCO (Foreign and Commonwealth Office) is against all but essential travel to the rest of mainland China (not including Hong Kong and Macao).
The Foreign Office added: “The British Consulates-General in Wuhan and Chongqing are currently closed. If you’re in China and able to leave, you should do so.”
People who have travelled to other locations have also been told to self-isolate if they have come back from countries including Thailand and Japan.
The official list of countries include:
- China
- Japan
- Republic of Korea
- Taiwan
- Singapore
- Malaysia
- Hong Kong
- Macau
HOW YOU CAN HELP STOP THE SPREAD
The UK Government launched a UK-wide public information blitz last week advising Brits on how to slow the spread of coronavirus and reduce the impact on NHS services.
So far NINE cases have hit the UK, most cases are from China.
The government-funded campaign includes public health advice on how people can protect themselves from infection.
The campaign will promote important hygiene practices, such as regularly washing hands and always sneezing into a tissue, to stem the spread of viruses.
The campaign advises the public to:
- always carry tissues and use them to catch coughs and sneezes, and bin the tissue
- wash hands with soap and water, or use sanitiser gel, to kill germs
Health Secretary Matt Hancock said: “Our highly trained and experienced clinicians are working round the clock to prevent the spread of coronavirus in the UK.”
“The government has detailed plans for how to deal with an outbreak like this. We can all play our part.”
“Basic hygiene such as washing our hands regularly and using tissues when we cough and sneeze can play an important role in minimising the spread of viruses like this. Today we have launched a UK-wide public information campaign to help the public protect themselves and each other.”
“Our world-class NHS is well prepared and we are doing everything we can to protect the public.”
People who have travelled back from the Hubei province in China within the last 14 days are being asked to:
- stay indoors and avoid contact with other people as you would with the flu
- call NHS 111 to inform them of your recent travel to the city
- if you are in Northern Ireland, call your GP
Anyone who has travelled from anywhere else in China (not including Macao or Hong Kong) to the UK in the last 14 days and develops symptoms of cough, fever or shortness of breath should immediately self-isolate, even if symptoms are minor, and call NHS 111.
The UK is extremely well prepared for any potential outbreak of an infectious disease – we are one of the first countries in the world to have developed a test for the new virus.
On Friday 31 January 2020, 2 patients in England, who are members of the same family, tested positive for coronavirus.
They are receiving specialist NHS care and we are using tried and tested infection control procedures to prevent further spread of the virus.
The government is already working rapidly to identify any contacts the patients had to prevent further spread, and are in close contact with the World Health Organization and the international community as the outbreak in China develops to ensure the UK is ready for all eventualities.
Coronavirus presents with flu-like symptoms including a fever, a cough or difficulty breathing. The current evidence is that most cases appear to be mild. For further information on coronavirus, visit www.gov.uk/coronavirus.
Additional Reporting by PA Media