HEALTH care workers are prepared for the deadly Wuhan virus if it reaches the county.

There are understood to be at least 14 suspected cases tested in the UK, with five confirmed negative, having originated in China.

A spokesman for Public Health England told the the Worcester News: “Worcestershire Acute Hospitals NHS Trust health care workers are already acting within the normal infection control guidelines for infections such as flu and norovirus, which includes discouraging people from just turning up to accident and emergency or their walk-in centre without phoning ahead for advice.

“This is in order to limit risk of infection to others.”

There are believed to about 1,000 Chinese people living in Worcester.

An infection control lead is liaising with staff in wards across the trust to ensure they are continuing to adhere to Public Health England guidance.

England’s chief medical officer, professor Chris Whitty, has revised the risk to the UK population from very low to low.

Health Secretary Matt Hancock said the UK is one of the first countries to develop a test for coronavirus and the NHS is ready to respond to any cases.

He added: “The public can be assured that the whole of the UK is always well prepared for these type of outbreaks and we will remain vigilant.”

The World Health Organisation (WHO) said it was “too early” to declare a public health emergency of international concern.

A spokesman for the University of Worcester said:“The university is aware of the ongoing concern.

“We work with Public Health England and will respond and act on any guidance they issue, and will continue to follow the latest Foreign and Commonwealth Office advice on international travel. We have a small number of students from China, but we don’t believe we have any students or members of staff that have travelled to or returned from Wuhan or the Hubei province recently.”