UK novel coronavirus cases rise to 115

The number of novel coronavirus cases in the United Kingdom increased on Thursday to 115, health officials said.

Chris Whitty, England's chief medical officer, said, as of Thursday at 9am, a further 25 patients in England had tested positive for the virus that causes the COVID-19 respiratory disease.

"Seventeen were diagnosed who had recently traveled from recognized countries or from recognized clusters which were under investigation," Whitty said. "Eight patients were identified in the UK where it is not yet clear whether they contracted it directly or indirectly from an individual who had recently returned from abroad. This is being investigated and contact tracing has begun."