Four new cases of the coronavirus have been confirmed in the UK, Public Health England has said.
This brings the total number of infections in the UK to eight.
The new patients are known contacts of a previously confirmed case, according to the Department of Health and Social Care.
Professor Chris Whitty, chief medical officer for England, said: "Experts at Public Health England continue to work hard tracing patient contacts from the UK cases. They successfully identified these individuals and ensured the appropriate support was provided.
"The patients have been transferred to specialist NHS centres at Guy’s and St Thomas’ and The Royal Free hospitals, and we are now using robust infection control measures to prevent further spread of the virus.
"The NHS is extremely well prepared to manage these cases and treat them, and we are working quickly to identify any further contacts these patients have had."
The updated number of infections comes just hours after the UK government announced the virus is now "a serious and imminent threat to public health".
Health Minister Matt Hancock today (February 10) revealed new regulations that give the government additional powers to fight the virus on British soil.
The Department of Health said people with the coronavirus can now be forcibly quarantined and will not be free to leave, and can be forcibly sent into isolation if they pose a threat to public health.
A spokesman said: "Our infection control procedures are world leading and the NHS is well prepared to deal with novel coronavirus.
"We are strengthening our regulations so we can keep individuals in supported isolation for their own safety and if public health professionals consider they may be at risk of spreading the virus to other members of the public.
"This measure will rightly make it easier for health professionals to help keep people safe across the country."
The measure also designated two locations - Arrowe Park Hospital in Merseyside and Kents Hill Park in Milton Keynes - "isolation" facilities for anyone suspected to have the virus or to have been exposed to it.
On Sunday, the coronavirus reached its deadliest day to date.
Ninety-seven people died - bringing the overall death toll to more than 900.
