What is the Coronavirus?
The coronavirus belongs to a large family of viruses identified as the cause of certain animal diseases and can cause disease in humans, too. The name 'coronavirus' refers to their resemblance to a crown (corona in Latin) when viewed in an electron microscope. The severity of human illness depends on the particular virus strand of this family and ranges between mild ailment, such as a cold, up to a serious disease that can negatively affect the lungs and lead to multiple organ failure, such as the Middle East Respiratory Syndrome (MERS) and Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome (SARS).
What is the novel coronavirus?
The novel coronavirus had not been previously identified as a cause of disease in humans. In December 2019, it was identified as the pathogen causing a cluster of pneumonia cases in Wuhan, Hubei province, central mainland China, and later on, it was found to spread to all provinces of mainland China as well as internationally. In terms of its genetic makeup, the SARS virus, which was the cause of severe morbidity in 2003/4, is the most similar to the novel virus in China among all other coronaviruses that cause human morbidity.
On 11.2.20, the World Health Organization decided on an official name for the virus - SARS-CoV-2, and the disease it causes - COVID-19.
How is the novel coronavirus transmitted to humans?
The vast majority of the index patients worked or visited Wuhan's live animal and seafood market. This is why it was thought that there was animal-to-person spread. The animal causing the infection has not been identified with certainty. Person-to-person spread of the virus has been identified; infection probably occurs upon exposure to respiratory secretions when sneezing or coughing. How contagious the infection is remains unclear, but it appears to be like the flu. People can most likely infect others before symptoms appear - this is known to occur in other viral infections.
What are the symptoms?
The symptoms of the infection caused by the novel coronavirus are similar to those of influenza: fever, cough, shortness of breath, and respiratory distress.
In a medical evaluation, it is not possible to distinguish between a coronavirus infection and other respiratory diseases.
The infection might lead to acute pneumonia, Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome (SARS), renal failure and can be fatal. The percentage of severe cases is not yet known.
How severe is the 2019 corona illness?
The clinical knowledge concerning the new disease is not yet complete. The data coming out of mainland China indicate that the illness is mild in most cases. Up to 20% of the confirmed patients develop complications and the mortality rate is approximately 2% of the patients. It is most probable that not all those infected in China had a medical evaluation, and that some have not been diagnosed. It is not clear what the risk factors of a severe illness are. Currently, available information suggests that older adults and people with a weak immune system or chronic medical condition, such as diabetes or a cardiovascular disease, may be at risk for more severe illness.
How is the Coronavirus treated?
There is currently no specific treatment for the novel coronavirus infection. People infected with the coronavirus receive supportive care; medical care is given according to the patient's medical condition.
As yet, there is no vaccine, but countries are working on a virus, such as Israel.
Guidance
Coronavirus (COVID-19): latest information and advice
Information for the public on the outbreak of coronavirus in China, including the current situation in the UK and information about the virus and its symptoms.
From: Department of Health and Social Care and Public Health England
Contents
As of 29 February at 9am, a total of 10,483 people have been tested in the UK, of which 10,460 were confirmed negative and 23 positive.
The Department of Health and Social Care will be publishing updated data on this page every day at 2pm until further notice. This data is accurate as of 9am to ensure accurate data is published in a timely manner.
If more cases are confirmed in the UK, it will be announced by the Chief Medical Officer of the affected country.
Risk level
Based on the World Health Organization’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.
Returning travellers
Stay indoors and avoid contact with other people immediately if you’ve travelled to the UK from:
Hubei province in China in the last 14 days, even if you do not have symptoms
Iran, lockdown areas in northern Italy or special care zones in South Korea since 19 February, even if you do not have symptoms other parts of mainland China or South Korea, Hong Kong, Japan, Macau, Malaysia, Singapore, Taiwan or Thailand in the last 14 days and have a cough, high temperature or shortness of breath (even if your symptoms are mild)
other parts of northern Italy (anywhere north of Pisa, Florence and Rimini), Cambodia, Laos, Myanmar or Vietnam since 19 February and have a cough, high temperature or shortness of breath (even if your symptoms are mild)
Use the 111 online coronavirus service to find out what to do next.
Do not go to a GP surgery, pharmacy or hospital.
In Scotland call your GP or NHS 24 on 111 out of hours. In Northern Ireland call 0300 200 7885.
Lockdown areas in northern Italy: in Lombardy: Codogno, Castiglione d’Adda, Casalpusterlengo, Fombio, Maleo, Somaglia, Bertonico, Terranova dei Passerini, Castelgerundo and San Fiorano
in Veneto: Vo’ Euganeo
Special care zones in South Korea: Daegu, Cheongdo
This guidance is based on the recommendations of the UK Chief Medical officers. These areas have been identified because of the volume of air travel from affected areas, understanding of other travel routes and number of reported cases. This list will be kept under review.
For areas with direct flights to the UK we are carrying out enhanced monitoring. Passengers will be told how to report any symptoms they develop during the flight, at the time of arrival, or after leaving the airport.
Read more about what you should do if you’re asked to self-isolate.
Information about the virus
A coronavirus is a type of virus. As a group, coronaviruses are common across the world. Typical symptoms of coronavirus include fever and a cough that may progress to a severe pneumonia causing shortness of breath and breathing difficulties.
Generally, coronavirus can cause more severe symptoms in people with weakened immune systems, older people, and those with long-term conditions like diabetes, cancer and chronic lung disease.
Novel coronavirus (COVID-19) is a new strain of coronavirus first identified in Wuhan City, China.
The NHS website has more information about how coronavirus is spread and answers common questions about the virus.
Summary of action taken
On 10 February, the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, Matt Hancock, announced strengthened legal powers to protect public health.
The Health Protection (Coronavirus) Regulations 2020 have been put in place to reduce the risk of further human-to-human transmission in this country by keeping individuals in isolation where public health professionals believe there is a reasonable risk an individual may have the virus.
We have introduced advanced monitoring at airports with direct flights from China.
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 7 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.
The government has issued clinical guidance for the detection and diagnosis of novel coronavirus (COVID-19), and infection prevention and control.
The Chief Medical Officer, Medical Director at PHE and Medical Director at NHSE/I have issued advice via a CAS (Central Alerting System) alert to frontline staff to increase awareness of the situation and any actions to take.
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, and the NHS and PHE have an established plan to respond to someone who becomes unwell.
China has also introduced port-of-exit screening so people already exhibiting symptoms are not allowed to leave the country.
Diagnosis and analysis
Based on current evidence, novel coronavirus (COVID-19) presents with flu-like symptoms including a fever, a cough, or difficulty breathing. The current evidence is that most cases appear to be mild. Those who have died in Wuhan appear to have had pre-existing health conditions.
The UK is now one of the first countries outside China to have a prototype specific laboratory test for this new disease. Healthcare professionals who are contacted by a patient with symptoms following travel to Wuhan have been advised to submit samples to PHE for testing. Individuals should be treated in isolation
After the experience of severe acute respiratory syndrome (SARS) in 2003, PHE developed a series of diagnostic tests to detect any member of the family of coronaviruses. These have been used for several years, and were able to detect the first UK case of Middle East respiratory syndrome (MERS) in 2012.
With the first reported publication of the genome sequence of a 2019 novel coronavirus, PHE was able to rapidly develop further specific tests for this virus, working with WHO and global network of laboratories.
When a clinician suspects novel coronavirus (COVID-19), they take samples from the nose, throat and deeper respiratory samples, package and send them safely to PHE Colindale. PHE can provide a laboratory result from this specific virus on the same working day.
PHE also has the capability to sequence the viral genome and compare this to published sequences from China, if a case occurs. This will provide valuable information on any mutations in the virus over time and allow an improved understanding of how it spreads.
Further information
Coronavirus (COVID-19): UK government response
Foreign and Commonwealth Office travel advice
Published 24 January 2020
Last updated 29 February 2020
