A research centre established by the University of Cambridge has donated 50,000 medical masks to Chinese hospitals treating patients infected with Coronavirus (COVID-19).

The donation, made by the University-Nanjing Center of Technology and Innovation, will go predominantly to hospitals in Wuhan and across Jiangsu Province, the virus’s epicentre. It will be used by hospital staff and epidemic prevention and control medical personnel.

Coronaviruses are a family of viruses that cause disease in animals. Seven, including COVID-19, have been known to also infect humans. As of the 7th March, more than 100,000 people have been infected with COVID-19; worldwide, over 3,200 deaths have been recorded, with the UK recording its second death yesterday.

“No one can be alone in the epidemic, and we should work with everyone to participate in this fight,” said head of the Centre and Cambridge Professor Cambridge Chu Daping.

“As the University of Cambridge’s first joint research institute in China, the centre is not only a research institution with a global perspective but also a bridge of friendship between China and Britain.”

Zhang Weizhong, department director with the Jiangsu Province Hospital, thanked the centre, and remarked that “these supplies really came in time and filled the shortage of masks in the hospital.”

The centre was jointly established by the University of Cambridge and the Nanjing Municipal government in September 2019.

It researches different healthcare and building-management technologies that will support ‘smart’ 21st Century cities.

The University’s Vice Chancellor, Professor Stephen Toope, has issued renewed advice to students about the COVID-19 outbreak. In the email sent on Thursday, he suggests students keep any travel plans for the Easter holidays “under careful review”, but insists colleges have been briefed and are taking steps in line with Public Health England’s advice.

Toope further states contingency plans are already being made for next term, which include possible impacts on examinations, but urges students that “with each other’s support, we will get through what may become a difficult period.”

For further advice on how to protect yourself and others during the outbreak, please visit the NHS guidelines on the coronavirus here.