TWO women who were travelling in Asia were tested for the coronavirus in Southend.

The women had gone travelling in Singapore, Malaysia and other areas of the continent when they returned home last week.

After they got back, they began to show symptoms of the virus, which began in China last year.

They called the NHS's 111 service with their fears, who then informed Southend Hospital they would be attending to be tested.

The woman in her 50s, who asked not to be named, said: "We had got back and were showing the symptoms.

"We'd telephoned the NHS and went down to Southend on Friday to be tested.

"They had to test us in the car park outside. We were walking around with staff in hazmat suits to be tested.

"There was no isolation facilities at the hospital."

"It was really unnerving and people were staring at us, but we both got cleared.

"We've now isolated ourselves at our own homes, my friend is at hers and I'm still home now."

The negative test of the two women on Friday are not linked to unconfirmed rumours spreading online of a suspected coronavirus case taking place at the hospital today.

"It's been a horrible week, my family have been isolated from me, I'm on my own. I'm very much looking forward to it being over."