Doncaster worker sent home to self-isolate after suspected case of coronavirus

The unnamed worker, who works for rail firm Unipart, had recently visited Northern Italy – one of the global hotspots for the deadly virus.

A spokesman for Unipart said: "An individual arrived at one of our sites and reported to have visited a region in northern Italy last week.

“The individual was recommended to self-isolate and did so.”

Unipart has a number of sites in Doncaster but it is not clear which of the firm’s premises were affected.

It has also not been revealed if the individual concerned is a confirmed coronavirus case.

As yet, there have been no confirmed cases of COVID-19 in Doncaster, although cases have been confirmed in York, Leeds, Hull, Bradford and Buxton with patients being treated in Sheffield’s Royal Hallamshire Hospital.

Three new cases of the virus in Scotland have brought the total number of positive tests in the UK to 90 and the number is expected to rise significantly in the weeks ahead.

Yesterday saw the biggest single day increase in the number of cases in the UK.

About 90,000 people have been infected globally since the outbreak of coronavirus in Hubei province, China, in December, with cases in more than 50 countries and more than 3,000 deaths.

Northern Italy is one of the worst affected places in Europe.

Government advice is increased hand washing in a bid to prevent the virus spreading further.