THE number of confirmed cases of coronavirus in the UK has risen bringing the total to 85.
Since the government last reported the number of cases yesterday, 34 new cases have been revealed.
The Department of Health and Social Care said so far 16,659 people in the UK have been tested for Covid-19 with 16,574 testing negative to the virus.
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The new cases, which have been confirmed as all in England, now mean the process to find those that have been in close contact will begin.
England's chief medical officer, Professor Chris Whitty, said: "As of 9am this morning 32 further patients in England have tested positive for Covid-19.
"Twenty-nine patients were diagnosed who had recently travelled from recognised countries or from recognised clusters which were under investigation.
"Three additional patients contracted the virus in the UK and it is not yet clear whether they contracted it directly or indirectly from an individual who had recently returned from abroad.
"This is being investigated and contact tracing has begun.
"The total number of confirmed cases in England is now 80. Following previously reported confirmed cases in Northern Ireland, Wales and Scotland, the total number of UK cases is 85."
'Epidemic'
Earlier today, Prof Whitty said the UK was likely to see an epidemic of Covid-19.
He said: "At this point in time we think it is likely, not definite, that we will move into onward transmission and an epidemic here in the UK."
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