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Coronavirus reaches the UK

Saturday, 01 February 2020 2:41 AM [ Last Update: Saturday, 01 February 2020 2:47 AM ]

An Asian tourist wearing a protective mask as she walks in Istiklal street in Istanbul , on January 31, 2020. (Photo by AFP)

Amina Taylor
Press TV, London

The coronavirus originated in the Chinese city of Wuhan and coincided with the Chinese New Year which meant a lot of travel within China and to and from other countries.

Nearly 10,000 cases have been confirmed across every one of China’s 31 provinces. More than 200 people have died and around 100,000 people are under medical observation. China said Friday that it has taken the strictest and most comprehensive measures to curb the spread.

Foreign nationals are being flown out and most are being quarantine upon arrival. Flights to and from China have been restricted and travel bands imposed.

The UK and Italy have just confirmed their first cases, but experts are urging people to stay calm. Prof Chris Whitty, chief medical officer for England said, "We have been preparing for UK cases of novel coronavirus and we have robust infection control measures in place to respond immediately."

Ian Jones, professor of virology at the University of Reading says, “The possibility of further spread is minimal because the cases were caught early. For the majority of those who contract this virus, the outcome will be a mild respiratory illness from which they will recover.”

Experts at China's National Health Commission say the virus could infect children, but that their symptoms would be relatively mild. The mortality rate for the new strain of coronavirus is currently low, at 2% - less than Sars at 10% and Ebola at 70%, says the Department of Health.

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