THE UNIVERSITY for the Creative Arts (UCA) is asking any overseas students returning from China to steer clear from its campuses amid coronavirus fears, the Herald has learnt.

A UCA spokesman confirmed a "very small number" of its students who have recently returned to the UK from China have been asked to remain at home for 14 days after their flights "as a purely precautionary measure".

The new coronavirus has spread across China and to at least 16 countries globally, with the death toll passing the 100-mark on Tuesday.

No cases have yet been reported in the UK. However, universities across the UK are closely monitoring the outbreak and have followed Foreign Office advice warning people not to travel to the affected region.

The UCA, which has campuses in Farnham, Epsom, Canterbury and Rochester, says it is "proactively seeking to identify any students who have returned from China since Christmas to provide health advice and support".

However, as it is term-time, a UCA spokesman added: "It is unlikely that there will be more than a handful of individuals who will have recently been in China."

The spokesman continued: "We are advising all students to review the latest information from the Foreign Office and World Health Organisation prior to making any travel plans.

"The very small number of students who have recently returned to the UK from China have been contacted and asked to remain at home for 14 days after their flight, as a purely precautionary measure.

"We are extending support to them to ensure they can continue their studies off site."