UK: Today marks one year since the first COVID-19 patient in the UK alerted doctors after falling ill

A York University student and his mother, visiting from China, became the first COVID-19 cases in the UK. They reported symptoms to NHS 111, leading to their hospitalization. The event marked the beginning of the UK's efforts to contain the virus, with significant public anxiety and the need for transparency. The mother and son were treated successfully, and the incident spurred innovations in treatment and vaccine development. The identities of the first patients remain undisclosed, but their cases were pivotal in the global spread of COVID-19, which continues to impact the world.

What was the significance of the mother and son being the first COVID-19 cases in the UK?

What innovations occurred in the treatment of COVID-19 patients during the pandemic?