One of the British people being flown from Wuhan to the UK where they were to be held in quarantine has fallen ill and has been taken to hospital.
11 more people were being repatriated from China after the outbreak of a new coronavirus, and were to have been held in quarantine in Merseyside,
During the flight one of the passengers fell ill and was diverted to hospital for tests, reports The Echo.
The 11 were due to land at RAF Brize Norton in Oxfordshire before being driven to Arrowe Park in Merseyside to spend 14 days in quarantine.
But only 10 passengers arrived at the Birkenhead hospital - and they have been isolated from the other 83 in the block while tests are carried out on the ill person.
An internal email from Janelle Holmes, chief executive of Arrowe Park, exclusively seen by the ECHO, said the unwell passenger "immediately self-isolated" and was taken to a separate NHS hospital. It is not clear at this stage which hospital they have been taken to.
The email said: "Dear all, as you know, we were expecting a further 11 people, repatriated from Wuhan in China, to arrive and join you in the accommodation block at Arrowe Park Hospital last night.
"During the flight, one of the passengers started to feel slightly unwell, and self-isolated immediately. Upon landing, that passenger remains isolated, and was taken to another NHS hospital for tests.
"We expect test results in the coming days, and will keep you updated.
"None of the other 10 patients have shown any symptoms, but as a precautionary measure the 10 new guests were allocated rooms in a separate area of the facility, isolated from those already here.
"As we have previously said, staff supporting those in the accommodation block are following strict clinical guidance and protocols to ensure everyone remains safe."
The virus which started in China has killed more than 300 people and is spreading across the world.
