ELDERLY MOST AT RISK

The death rate for over-80s who contract the virus has been assessed at nearly 15 per cent, according to Chinese data. Anyone over 60 is advised to avoid crowds because the risk of infection may increase in closed settings with little air circulation. In coming weeks, the old and vulnerable may be asked to self-isolate, regardless of symptoms. Children, though, seem relatively unaffected – the vast majority have only mild symptoms. But since they tend to come into contact with far more people, they can spread the virus much more widely.