AN OUTBREAK of coronavirus has been contained after people in self-isolation were given the all clear.

Health chiefs say the cluster of cases in Brighton and Hove risked the spread of the virus.

There were five confirmed cases in the city, but they have all been cleared and have not passed on the virus to others.

People who may have come into contact with them were traced and told to go into self-isolation to stop the spread of the virus.

It has been confirmed that they have all been given the all clear.

Earlier this month 53-year-old Scouts leader Steve Walsh spoke of his relief to have beaten the virus after contracting it in Singapore.

Mr Walsh, from Hove, had been there on a business trip, and had then enjoyed a holiday in the Alps.

He was taken to Guys and St Thomas’s Hospital in London.

Meanwhile the County Oak Medical Centre had to close because one doctor had contracted the virus. A doctor at Worthing Hospital’s accident and emergency department was also a confirmed case.

There were also fears the virus was at the University of Sussex campus at Falmer after a student was led away by paramedics in hazardous material suits. But the student was not a confirmed case.

Meanwhile two schools are now on alert after students visited Italy, but the risk is said to be “low”.

In recent days, two further patients tested positive for coronavirus in the UK, taking the total to 15 in all.

They have been transferred to specialist infection centres in Liverpool and London, and health chiefs say the risk to the public is “low”.

Trish Mannes, deputy director for health protection at Public Health England South East said: “Public health actions in response to a cluster of confirmed coronavirus cases in Brighton and Hove are now complete.

“We identified all five cases and tracked all known contacts. This vital work helped us advise and, where necessary, isolate those individuals who have been in contact with one of the positive cases.

“Any contacts of confirmed cases identified, including healthcare workers, have now completed their self-isolation and there has been no onward transmission of the virus.

“We are grateful to everyone for their continued cooperation in dealing with the situation in a manner which helped safeguard the community.

“People should continue to follow the public health advice being issued by the government, PHE, NHS and the city council.”