ONE of four Britons rescued from a coronavirus-hit cruise ship who tested positive for the illness is being treated in the North-East.

The patient was taken to the Royal Victoria Infirmary in Newcastle after they were brought back to the UK on a repatriation flight.

The four people had been onboard the Diamond Princess cruise ship, which had been stationed off the coast of Japan for more than two weeks amid the outbreak.

The total number of people diagnosed with Coronavirus in the UK has now risen to 13.

The RVI is one of four Airborne High Consequences Infectious Disease Centres in England specially equipped to receive people with illnesses such as coronavirus.

Rumours had been spreading on social media that Blaydon walk-in centre had been put in lockdown due to a suspected case of the virus, but Gateshead NHS Foundation Trust said the centre was open as normal.

In addition, Hexham Hospital now has a dedicated area at the back of the building where people concerned about symptoms of the virus can call 111.

Northumbria Healthcare NHS Foundation Trust said the hospital was not a testing centre, and people could still ring from their own phones.

Hexham’s Queen Elizabeth High School has issued advice to parents, which states that recent visitors to Northern Italy should self-isolate if they present with symptoms.

However, the school has had no reports of students who have visited the area in the last 14 days.