Coronavirus virus 'super-spreader' is married scout leader who travelled to Singapore for work, returning to UK via France and infecting 11 - but is now 'fully recovered'

A businessman at the centre of a UK outbreak of coronavirus who is feared to have unwittingly infected 11 people has thanked the NHS for his treatment and said he is "fully recovered".

Steve Walsh, 53, a father of two, from Hove in East Sussex, who is still in quarantine in Guy's Hospital in London, picked up coronavirus while at a conference in Singapore.

On his way back to the UK, he stopped off for several days at a French ski chalet, where five Britons were subsequently infected with the virus.

He is also linked to at least five further cases of coronavirus in the UK, including two doctors, one of whom worked at a Brighton surgery that has closed its doors.

A French lab scientist in hazmat gear analyses infected patient samples at Pasteur Institute in Paris (AP)

Speaking from hospital, Mr Walsh said in a statement: "I would like to thank the NHS for their help and care - whilst I have fully recovered, my thoughts are with others who have contracted coronavirus.

"As soon as I knew I had been exposed to a confirmed case of coronavirus, I contacted my GP, NHS 111 and Public Health England.

"I was advised to attend an isolated room at hospital, despite showing no symptoms, and subsequently self-isolated at home as instructed.

"When the diagnosis was confirmed I was sent to an isolation unit in hospital, where I remain, and, as a precaution, my family was also asked to isolate themselves.

Medical workers treat patients in the isolated intensive care unit at a hospital in Wuhan (AP)

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"I also thank friends, family and colleagues for their support during recent weeks and I ask the media to respect our privacy."

The Mail reported that Mr Walsh is also an assistant scout leader at the 3rd Hove St Leonards Scout Group in East Sussex.

A company spokesperson for Servomex, which employs Mr Walsh, said it "continues to provide support" to him and his family.

"We are working with Public Health authorities to ensure the welfare of our staff and communities and wish anyone with the virus a quick and full recovery," it said.

The death toll in the coronavirus outbreak has now reached 1,016 as 103 people died on Monday alone - a daily record.

The number of new infections in China, however, was down by a fifth from the day before from 3,061 to 2,478.

There are eight confirmed cases of coronavirus in the UK.