Your questions answered and latest advice on coronavirus
THE total number of coronavirus cases in the UK reached 15 yesterday after two more were confirmed, England’s Department of Health said.
The virus was passed on in Italy and Tenerife, and the people affected have been transferred to specialists in Liverpool and London. There are also 168 British guests quarantined at a hotel in Tenerife. Italy now has more than 400 cases of coronavirus with authorities there reporting that 12 people have died.
The latest coronavirus figures show that more than 80,000 people in over 40 countries have been infected. The Foreign and Commonwealth Office has issued travel advice to UK citizens, including information on specific countries, and financial expert Martin Lewis has given advice on how coronavirus affects travel insurance.
This is the latest news and advice on coronavirus and how it affects you.
■ What are the symptoms of coronavirus?
According to the NHS the main symptoms are a cough, a high temperature and shortness of breath. It is important to remember that having these symptoms does not necessarily mean you have the illness.
Ailments like a cold or flu are much more common.
According to the World Health Organisation, some patients may have aches and pains, nasal congestion, runny nose, sore throat or diarrhoea. These symptoms are usually mild and begin gradually. Some people become infected but don’t develop any symptoms and don’t feel unwell.
Most people (about 80%) recover from the disease without needing special treatment.
■ What should you do if you think you have coronavirus?
If you have been to any of the below places do not go to the doctor. Instead, you should call 111, stay indoors and avoid close contact with other people: ■ Hubei province in China in the last 14 days;
■ Iran, areas of northern Italy in lockdown or “special care zone” areas in South Korea since February 19;
■ Other parts of mainland China or South Korea, Thailand, Japan, Hong Kong, Taiwan, Singapore, Malaysia or Macau in the last 14 days and have a cough, high temperature or shortness of breath;
■ other parts of northern Italy (anywhere north of Pisa, Florence and Rimini), Vietnam, Cambodia, Laos or Myanmar since February 19 and have a cough, high temperature or shortness of breath;
■ if you have been in close contact with someone with confirmed coronavirus.
If you have not been to the above places, or been in contact with someone infected, it is highly unlikely to be coronavirus.
■ How many people have coronavirus and which country is worst affected?
As of noon yesterday, a total of 82,585 people worldwide had contracted the coronavirus.
■ Who is most at risk of coronavirus?
According to the NHS, people of all ages can get coronavirus.
Older people, and people with preexisting medical conditions (such as asthma, diabetes, heart disease) are more likely to become severely ill with the virus.
■ How can you protect yourself catching coronavirus?
You do not need to stay away from public places. The only people who do are people who have recently come from the at risk areas and people who have come into contact with someone else with the virus.
You may have seen people walking around with facemasks.
Though face masks play a very important role in places like hospitals, but there is very little evidence of widespread benefit for members of the public.
One of the best ways to avoid the virus is by following basic hygiene like washing your hands regularly with soapy water.
■ Is there a cure for coronavirus?
There is currently no vaccine or cure for coronavirus.
Antibiotics only work against bacteria and coronavirus is, well, a virus.
Some people with coronavirus may
be given antibiotics because there’s a risk the virus may make them more likely to get a bacterial infection as well. The current treatment plan tackles the symptoms while your body fights the illness.
■ How is the UK trying to prevent the spread of coronavirus?
Based on the World Health Organisation’s declaration that this is a public health emergency of international concern, the UK Chief Medical Officers
have raised the risk to the UK from low to moderate.
This permits the government to plan for all eventualities.
The Foreign and Commonwealth Office (FCO) has issued individual travel advice for people which you can find at www.gov.uk/foreign-traveladvice
A team of public health experts has been established in Heathrow to support anyone travelling in from China who feels unwell. These hubs will bring in rotational teams of seven clinicians, working in shifts, who will be on hand to support patients on arrival.
This is in addition to medical staff who are already permanently in place at all UK airports and the advice issued to all UK airports for people travelling to and from China.
Most people who develop symptoms will get them after leaving the airport and so the priority is providing UK residents and travellers with the latest information to make sure they know what to do if they experience symptoms.
■ Should you go to work or school if you have coronavirus symptoms or have been in an affected area?
If you have been to the affected areas you should NOT go to public places.
Instead, you should call 111, stay indoors and avoid close contact with other people.
If you have not been to these places, or been near an infected person, it is far more likely you have flu or a cold.
■ Should you travel to areas affected by coronavirus?
No. The FCO has warned against all travel to Wuhan province and advises against all but essential travel to Daegu and Cheongdo in South Korea.
The FCO also advises against all but essential travel to 10 small Italian towns in Lombardy (Codogno, Castiglione d’Adda, Casalpusterlengo, Fombio, Maleo, Somaglia, Bertonico, Terranova dei Passerini, Castelgerundo and San Fiorano) and one in Veneto (Vo’ Euganeo).
■ How many people have died from coronavirus?
As of noon yesterday, a total of 2,814 people had died from coronavirus (of 82,585 people who contracted it).
■ How does coronavirus affect your travel insurance?
Martin Lewis from Money Saving Expert explained the current situation surrounding travel insurance and coronavirus.
He said: “The current rules are, unless the FCO has warned you against travel to a country, and it says don’t go unless for essential travel, then you can’t claim on your travel insurance.
“Travel insurance does not cover disinclination to travel.”
In other words, if you choose not to travel to a destination but the FCO hasn’t advised against it, your travel insurer is unlikely to cover you.