Director for Acute Care to NHS updates virus situation

Britain's strategic incident director for a viral outbreak that began in China on Saturday thanked staff at Arrowe Park Hospital for accepting to quarantine dozens of UK citizens who were evacuated from a virus-stricken cruise ship in Japan.

Keith Willett, the National Health Service's (NHS) Director for Acute Care, said in an interview with British broadcaster Sky News that he was "immensely grateful" to the hospital personnel.

A plane carrying repatriated Britons back from Japan touched ground in the United Kingdom on Saturday.

Upon arrival, the passengers - who spent more than two weeks quarantined onboard the Diamond Princess cruise ship - were expected to be taken to Arrowe Park where they will spend another 14 days in quarantine.The passengers have tested negative for COVID-19, the illness caused by virus, during medical examinations in Japan, however, further tests are expected in the UK.

Image Credit: AP