A HAMPSHIRE resident has tested positive for Coronavirus - the first case in the county since the outbreak in China.

Health officials last night confirmed that 12 further patients have tested positive for the deadly virus in England.

Bringing the total of UK cases to 51, the patients are from Hampshire, London, Northamptonshire, Bury, Wirral, Greater Manchester, Humberside and Kent. 

According to a joint statement from the county council and Public Health England, the Hampshire patient has recently returned from Italy but is now in a treatment centre in London.

The Department of Health and Social Care has reported that seven other patients had recently travelled from Italy, one from Germany, one from Singapore, one from Japan and one from Iran.

The Daily Echo has asked the government department for further details about the Hampshire patient but it refused citing patient confidentiality. 

Hampshire County Council’s Director of Public Health, Simon Bryant, said: “I’d like to reassure people that the risk to the general public remains low. 

“We are working with health colleagues to do everything we can to stop the virus spreading and ensure the people of Hampshire are protected as much as possible.”

With around 90,000 reported cases, more than 3,000 people have died of the virus globally with most of the victims in China.

One of the countries worst hit aside from China is Italy, which on Monday saw a jump in its death toll from 34 to 52.

Last week a cruise ship which sailed from Southampton was turned away from the Dominican Republic after fears of Coronavirus.

Eight passengers on MS Braemar operated by Fred Olsen Cruise Lines were struck down with flu-like symptoms.

The ship was due to dock at the Port of La Romana, however, the Dominican health authority turned it away.

It was later revealed that no guests or crew had the virus.