Government could shut down cities, cancel football matches and stop public gatherings to prevent spread of coronavirus, Health Secretary says

Matt Hancock said despite a "huge economic and social downside", following China's lead and isolating UK cities if the situation worsens is an option.

On Sunday the number of confirmed coronavirus cases in the UK leapt to 35 after 12 new patients were identified in England.

The new patients are from Surrey, London, West Yorkshire, Greater Manchester, Hertfordshire and Gloucestershire.

All of the newly identified cases are being investigated and health officials have begun tracing anyone who had close contact with them.

Mr Hancock conceded it was "inevitable" that the deadly virus would continue to spread.

When asked about isolating entire cities on the BBC's Andrew Marr programme Mr Hancock said: "There is clearly a huge economic and social downside to that.

"But we don't take anything off the table at this stage because you have to make sure you have all the tools available if that is what is necessary."

The Health Secretary confirmed that "population distancing measures", such as banning public gatherings and cancelling football matches, could be considered by the Government, while closing schools may be "necessary".

He said: "I'm not saying any of these are decisions we have taken but they are things we don't rule out."

Emergency powers designed to restrict Covid-19 if it becomes endemic, due to be revealed this week, would only be "temporary", said Mr Hancock.

He added the NHS was ready to deal with further cases of coronavirus, with more than 5,000 emergency critical care beds available.

The number of emergency meetings convened by the Government is to be increased, which comes amid criticism of Boris Johnson for failing to lead a Cobra contingencies committee on the outbreak until Monday.

Three more patients in England tested positive for coronavirus on Saturday, while the Republic of Ireland reported its first patient - bringing the total number of cases in the British Isles to 24.

One of those confirmed was a staff member at an infant school in Berkshire.

Two of the patients had recently travelled back from Italy while the other had returned from Asia, Chief Medical Officer Professor Chris Whitty said.

Holiday operator Tui said on Saturday evening it would be making arrangements for Britons at a coronavirus-stricken hotel in Tenerife who test negative to return to the UK.

Around 160 Britons were among hundreds of guests put into quarantine at the four-star H10 Costa Adeje Palace after at least four holidaymakers were diagnosed with Covid-19.

Spanish authorities have since said the risk of infection for any Britons staying at the hotel was low, although Public Health England (PHE) advised anyone travelling back to self-isolate until March 10 amid reports that a fifth man at the hotel has tested positive.

The number of people who have been ill with the virus is more than 86,000 globally and there have been more than 2,900 deaths, most of them in China.