A PRISONER reportedly being tested for coronavirus, having recently been extradited from Thailand, is believed to have appeared at Reading Magistrates Court just days after returning.

It is understood Mark Rumble, of no fixed abode, is one of two prisoners at the centre of HMP Bullingdon's suspected coronavirus outbreak.

UPDATED: Inmate given results after being tested for coronavirus following Reading court appearance

The 31-year-old was reportedly brought back to the UK two weeks ago on drugs charges.

Rumble, of no fixed abode, is accused of a string of drug dealing offences in Didcot, Oxfordshire, between July 2014 and March 2015.

According to court documents, Mr Rumble was brought before Reading Magistrates Court on these charges on January 28.

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Multiple reports state the Thai Department of Correction has confirmed Mr Rumble was the prisoner involved in the coronavirus scare at Bullingdon.

The Bangkok Post reported in November Rumble had been arrested by Thailand's police in Pattaya over drugs charges.

He was due to appear at Oxford Crown Court later this month for a plea and case management hearing facing seven counts including conspiracy to supply the class A and B drugs cocaine, MDMA, cannabis, amphetamine and possession with intent to supply methoxetamine (MXE).

But Mr Rumble reportedly collapsed in his cell on Monday and has since been tested for the virus. There has been no confirmation that it is coronavirus.

The Ministry of Justice was unable to comment on Mr Rumble's Reading court appearance.

The prison is however said to be working closely with Public Health England and following guidance on its response.

It is reported that a second inmate at HMP Bullingdon has also developed flu-like symptoms and a third was also being tested for the illness.

Access to one of the wings of the Category B prison has been restricted, while those affected are in isolation.

Many outlets that have raised concerns around potential coronavirus cases have closed for deep cleans as a precaution. Boundary House GP Surgery in Bracknell was among the sites to have been closed for a 'precautionary clean', it comes after a patient visited the practice having recently returned from Thailand.

Reading Chronicle:

So far in Thailand there have been 33 confirmed cases of the virus, with the country the second after China to declare infections.

As of February 12, a total of 1,758 people have been tested for coronavirus in the UK, of whom 1,750 were confirmed negative and eight positive - according to the Department of Health.

The World Health Organisation (WHO) has said the new strain of coronavirus is to be called Covid-19.