Two patients from the same family in England have tested positive for coronavirus, the first such cases in Britain, England's chief medical officer says.

Axar.az reports citing British media.

"The patients are receiving specialist NHS care, and we are using tried and tested infection control procedures to prevent further spread of the virus," Chris Whitty, said on Friday.

"The NHS is extremely well-prepared and used to managing infections and we are already working rapidly to identify any contacts the patients had, to prevent further spread.

"We have been preparing for UK cases of novel coronavirus and we have robust infection control measures in place to respond immediately.

"We are continuing to work closely with the World Health Organisation and the international community as the outbreak in China develops to ensure we are ready for all eventualities."

The Department of Health declined to say where in England the patients were from.