Chris Whitty told the BBC that it was "likely, not definite, that we will move on to onward transmission and an epidemic here in the UK".

The UK government changed its stance on insurance to cover businesses for novel coronavirus losses in England, stating that it would declare the virus as a "notifiable disease", a formal classification required by many insurance policies. Businesses had warned that expected coronavirus losses risked not being covered under the existing rules.

Hospitals in the UK have been urged to assess patients by video link as part of measures to prevent the spread of coronavirus, the BBC reports. The health authority NHS England has written to local managers calling on them to examine ways to increase the number of care beds, and to draw up plans to segregate infected patients in wards if there is a significant escalation in cases.

Britain's markets watchdog said it was reviewing how a wide range of companies can continue to operate during a coronavirus outbreak in the country.

"This includes assessments of operational risks, the ability of firms to continue to operate effectively and the steps firms are taking to serve and support their customers," the Financial Conduct Authority said on Wednesday.

Reuters reports that Europe's auto industry is facing a slowdown in demand for new cars, as well as disruption from the coronavirus epidemic and import tariffs between China and the United States. As a result, several companies have announced plans to cut costs and jobs.

It said British auto producers Bentley and McLaren have sought alternatives to their Chinese suppliers to mitigate the impact of the coronavirus outbreak, which has halted production at some carmakers' manufacturing sites around the world. Bentley, owned by Volkswagen, said it had secured the supply of 21 components that it previously sourced from China until the end of the month, such as silicon chips.

"We've re-sourced them," Chief Executive Adrian Hallmark told Reuters, but he did not say where the alternative supplies came from. McLaren Automotive boss Mike Flewitt said his company was seeking to take similar steps.