We all have a role in preventing epidemic

THE statistics on the likely spread of coronavirus could hardly be more sobering.

In a bleak forecast, Scotland’s Chief Medical Officer warned 80 per cent of the population might be infected.

One in five cases could be serious – and up to a quarter of a million people in Scotland might need hospital treatment.

The official language has become starker, but it’s important that the public are kept fully informed.

Of course, these are assumptions based on a ‘reasonable worst case scenario’ that may never materialise.

Given the existing pressures on the NHS, we must fervently hope that our hospitals are capable of coping with such a massive spike in patient numbers.

But it’s reassuring that a strategy has been drawn up to tackle the fallout, based on attempting to contain the virus.

Scottish scientists are also among the experts around the world working night and day to produce a vaccine.

Successful vaccines have been developed in the past for ebola, zika and other serious conditions.

One of the greater challenges for medics is that sufferers of coronavirus can be symptom-free for a fortnight.

That lengthy incubation period has contributed to the alarming escalation of the global outbreak.

But as the search for a vaccine continues, the NHS has issued straightforward advice on easy steps to take to avoid infection.

It’s as simple as regular hand-washing and covering your mouth and nose with a tissue when coughing or sneezing.

If widely adopted, these safeguards could help to put a halt to the apparently relentless rise in cases.

We can all contribute to the efforts to tackle coronavirus by paying heed to those key tenets of basic personal hygiene.

And, for once, it seems the Scottish and UK Governments are working together – relations are not always so harmonious.

That team spirit was evidenced by Nicola Sturgeon’s participation in the Cobra meeting yesterday.

It’s a reminder that viruses do not respect borders.

And it shows that at times of crisis, the UK can rise to the challenge – and work together for a common objective.