COVID-19: do you need to worry about coronavirus?

In December 2019, a new type of coronavirus was discovered. It originated at a fish and live animal market in the city of Wuhan, China. It has since been found to be spread through human contact, as well as by contact with infected animals.

Coronaviruses are a group of viruses which, as a group, are common. One type of coronavirus causes the common cold, while another was responsible for the SARS epidemic which claimed hundreds of lives in the early 2000s. This form of the virus has been officially named SARS-CoV-2, and the disease it causes named Covid-19.

China is attempting to contain the virus and minimise its spread by putting Wuhan on lockdown. Wuhan and several other Chinese cities have enforced travel bans, with some also cancelling Chinese New Year celebrations and extending school holidays to minimise the risk to the public.

How many people have been affected?

As of 11th February, more than 1000 people have died from the new coronavirus and over 40,000 cases have been confirmed. As some people only experience very mild symptoms, it's likely that the real numbers are far higher.

Researchers at the University of Lancaster, who have studied the way the virus spreads, estimate that only 1 in 20 people affected have had the disease confirmed. By their reckoning, 11,000 people were infected in the first three weeks of January alone.

A study published in The Lancet estimates that nearly 76,000 people may have been infected between 1st December 2019 and 25th January 2020.

Eight cases have been confirmed in the UK. All eight cases have been quarantined, as have those who were evacuated from Wuhan on 30th January. The government have announced extended legal powers granting them the ability to impose restrictions on anyone that healthcare professionals believe is at risk of spreading the virus.

What's the risk in the UK?

Public Health England says that the risk to the UK population is moderate. This has been raised from low as the situation continues to evolve.

The World Health Organization has declared Covid-19 to be an international public health emergency, as it did with swine flu and Ebola. It is producing daily reports on the spread of the virus.

Patient picks for COVID-19

Chest and lungs

What we know about the IHU COVID-19 variant

As long as COVID-19 continues to spread, mutations of the virus will continue to happen. Although the UK is still grappling with the large number of cases of the easily transmissible Omicron variant, researchers have been reporting on a new strain called B.1.640.2 or IHU detected in France. But is it as worrying as other variants of COVID-19 - and what do we know about it so far?

by Lydia Smith

Chest and lungs

Long COVID

Most people with COVID-19 infection (SARS CoV-2 infection) feel better within a few days or weeks and recover completely within 12 weeks of the infection. However, some people have ongoing symptoms that remain for weeks, months, or longer, which is usually called "long COVID". For some, these long-term effects of COVID-19 can be debilitating. These effects can be very different from person to person, and it seems likely that there are different 'types' of long COVID, or different syndromes, which might behave in different ways.

by Dr Doug McKechnie, MRCGP

What should I do if I think I have the coronavirus?

From what has been seen so far, the new coronavirus affects the respiratory tract, causing flu-like symptoms and problems with breathing. In some people the virus has been very mild and indistinguishable from the common cold. However, some people have developed serious complications like pneumonia.

What are the symptoms?

Who is at risk?

Around 1 in 4 cases are thought to be severe. The risk of developing a serious infection or dying from the virus is higher among those with a weaker immune system, including older people and those who are already unwell or have a long-term health condition.

If you experience symptoms of the new coronavirus and are in a risk group, you should speak over the phone to a healthcare professional or 111 immediately. They'll advise you on what to do next.

How do I get help if I think I might be affected?

Although, as yet, there is no vaccine or treatment available, the UK is one of the first countries outside of China to have access to a prototype laboratory test for the new coronavirus. The number of UK laboratories with access to the diagnostic test has increased from one to twelve, increasing our testing capabilities.

If a clinician suspects Covid-19, they will take nose, throat and deeper respiratory samples and send them to one of the twelve laboratories. They will provide a result the same day.

Reducing your risk

Whilst the risk to the general population in the UK is relatively low, taking measures to protect yourself from disease is always a good idea. Scientists estimate that each infected person is passing it on to 1.4 to 2.5 people.

It seems likely that this coronavirus is spread through close contact including close breathing or talking to an infected person. Like flu, the virus can be transmitted before symptoms even appear, making it harder to curb the spread. The actions of the Chinese government are now crucial in limiting the number of infections worldwide.

Wearing face masks will not do much to prevent you contracting the virus. There is no risk of catching coronavirus from animals in the UK, nor from eating Chinese food.

You can reduce your personal risk of contracting the virus by: