THE University of Southampton student who was taken for tests at Southampton General Hospital has tested negative for coronavirus.

The Daily Echo previously reported that the student and their flatmates had self isolated after the student “fell unwell” after returning from an unknown region of China.

The student was admitted to Southampton General Hospital on February 3 and has since been released.

A spokesperson from the University of Southampton said: “We are pleased to confirm that the student has tested negative for the coronavirus.”

In a dramatic escalation of its official advice to just avoid China, the Foreign Office is now actively urging the 30,000 UK nationals in China to leave.

Health Secretary Matt Hancock said: “There are still commercial flights available.

“The principle that we are taking is that we want to take no chances with this virus.

“We want to take a science-led approach.

“The approach we have been taking is very much driven by the advice of the chief medical officer.

“This is a very serious virus and having a very serious impact in China.

“There are two cases only here in the UK but we do expect more, so we are taking no chances.”

This comes as the death toll from the coronavirus outbreak continues to rise with Chinese authorities reporting 490 victims and an increase in the number of cases to 24,324.