A CELEBRATION to mark Chinese New Year in Colchester has been cancelled following the outbreak of the coronavirus.

The death toll from the coronavirus has now risen to 106 with more than 4,500 cases reported.

China has locked down cities across the Hubei province, isolating some 50 million people in a sweeping anti-disease effort.

No cases have been reported in the UK, however, more than 50 people have been tested for the deadly flu-like virus.

The Colchester Chinese Association has confirmed it has postponed its New Year celebration which had been due to go ahead next week in St Botolph’s.

Helen Chauh, ambassador for the association, said: “We have cancelled next week as a precaution because of the coronavirus.

“We decided it would be best not to go ahead.

“It is a shame as Chinese New Year is a big celebration.”

Ms Chauh said the association would be monitoring the situation and would make a decision on whether it can be rescheduled.

But she added: “We are looking to see what happens and we can’t make any decisions until we see what goes - it is difficult to know.”

Ms Chauh said many people in the Chinese community in Colchester were worried about family who live in the affected areas.

She added: “There is real concern because people have relatives in the China and Hong Kong areas.

“We haven’t got any visitors coming in from there at the moment.”

A number of other Chinese New Year events across the town have gone ahead.

Ms Chauh and representatives from the association attended an event at Essex University at the weekend.

She said: “The students would normally be going back to China to celebrate, so it was a way to get them together.”

The Rotary Club of Colchester Centurion will also host a New Year event on February 8.

Essex University, which welcomes hundreds of international students and has offices in China, said it was issuing advice to students.

A spokesman for the university said: “We’re in contact with Public Health England and we’re sharing information and advice with our university community as appropriate.”

Public Health England said the risk to the UK was low.

It added there was “an established plan to respond quickly and reduce the risk to others” if people report having symptoms of the virus.