Two patients with the Novel coronavirus 2019 have been moved to the RVI for quarantine and treatment.
The Royal Victoria Infirmary was chosen as the treatment centre as it is one of only five specialised infectious disease centres in the United Kingdom with the capability to handle such an illness.
A spokesman for the RVI said there is no need to be concerned as there is no risk to other patients and visitors.
The World Health Organisation has however said that the 2019 Corornavirus now meets the criteria for Public Health Emergency of International Concern and countries should focus on reducing human infection and prevent secondary transmission as part of the international response towards this virus.
As part of the UK’s response towards the coronavirus, the Foreign Office has advised that ‘all but essential’ travel to mainland China should be cancelled while Britons in Hubei province are being evacuated to RAF Brize Norton for screening and further transfer to quarantine locations across the UK.
For more information please visit gov.uk/coronavirus.