Of Covid-19 coronavirus

Medical workers wearing protective gear transfer a suspected coronavirus patient to another hospital from Daenam Hospital in Korea, where a total of 16 infections have now been identified and, right, a sign at Medway Martine Hospital in Gillingham, Kent, giving instruction to people who suspect they may have coronavirus symptoms

of most germs, including coronavirus.

“The UK Department for Health and Social Care has issued advice for

returning travellers. We would encourage travellers to check the guidance, especially those returning from China, Thailand, Japan,

Republic of Korea, Hong Kong, Taiwan, Singapore, Malaysia or Macau in the last 14 days.

“The UK Foreign and Commonwealth Office has advised UK nationals to leave China where possible.”

Coronavirus presents with flu-like symptoms including a fever, a cough or difficulty breathing. The current evidence is that most cases appear to be mild.

In a World Health Organisation briefing on Thursday, director general Dr Tedros Ghebreyesus said: “You will get sick of me saying that the window of opportunity remains open for us to contain this Covid-19 outbreak.

“WHO is doing everything we can to seize that window of opportunity, and we urge the international community to do the same.”

If you get a cough, high temperature or feel short of breath within 14 days of returning from the places mentioned by Dr Shankar, you should stay indoors and avoid contact with other people and call NHS Direct Wales on 0845 4647 or 111 Wales in your area to inform them of your recent travel to the area.

Please follow this advice even if your symptoms are minor.

If you have travelled from Wuhan or Hubei Province to the UK in the past 14 days, you should immediately stay indoors and avoid contact with other people and call NHS Direct Wales on 0845 4647 or 111 Wales.