PUBLIC ENEMY
Coronavirus Covid-19 could kill 45 million – and ‘poses bigger threat than terrorism’
DEADLY coronavirus could kill 45 million - and poses a bigger threat than terrorism, experts have warned.
World health bosses have declared the illness, officially named Covid-19, “Public Enemy Number 1” as the death toll surpassed 1,110.
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It comes as top Hong Kong medical official warned that the deadly virus could infect 60 per cent of the world's population.
Professor Gabriel Leung, chair of public health medicine in the city, also said that even if the death rate sits at one per cent, it could still kill millions.
With the global population currently at more than seven billion, it means the new coronavirus could potentially infect more than four billion.
If one per cent of those people die, it would result in more than 45 million deaths.
However, World Health Organisation bosses have urged scientists to stop "throwing around figures that there is no basis for".
'Grave threat'
It comes as the WHO director general Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus said the epidemic poses a “very grave threat” to the entire globe.
He said: “To be honest, a virus is more powerful in creating political, economic and social upheaval than any terrorist attack.
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“A virus can have more powerful consequences than any terrorist action.
“If the world doesn’t want to wake up and consider this enemy virus as Public Enemy number 1, I don’t think we will learn from our lessons.”
Official name
Dr Tedros also announced that the virus had finally been officially named as Covid-19.
He explained: "C-o stands for corona, v-i stands for virus, d for disease, so COVID."
Dr Tedros said a name was decided that "did not refer to a geographical location, an animal, an individual or group of people, and which is also pronounceable and related to the disease".
He added: "Having a name matters to prevent the use of other names that can be inaccurate or stigmatising.
"It also gives us a standard format to use for any future coronavirus outbreaks."
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Experts said it was important the virus was given its own name because the term "coronavirus" refers to a wider family of viruses, including SARS and MERS.
During the WHO meeting in Geneva yesterday, Dr Tedros also revealed that the first vaccine targeting the illness could be available within 18 months.
Dr Tedros added: “We have to do everything today using the available weapons to fight this virus while preparing for the long term using the preparations for the vaccines.
“With 99 per cent of cases in China, this remains very much an emergency for that country, but one that holds a very grave threat for the rest of the world.”
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What to do if you're worried you've got coronavirus
BRITISH health chiefs have raised the coronavirus risk to the public from low to moderate.
Health professionals are working to contact anyone who has been in close contact with people who have coronavirus.
The majority of those who have been infected with the virus so far have either visited China or been in close contact with someone who has.
But if you are concerned known the signs is one of the best ways to protect yourself from 2019-nCoV.
Symptoms usually include:
- a cough
- a high temperature
- difficulty breathing
In most cases, you won't know whether you have a coronavirus or a different cold-causing virus.
But if a coronavirus infection spreads to the lower respiratory tract, it can cause pneumonia, especially in older people, people with heart disease or people with weakened immune systems.
It is incredibly contagious and is spread through contact with anything the virus is on as well as infected breath, coughs or sneezes.
The best way to prevent catching any form of coronavirus is to practice good hygiene.
If you have cold-like symptoms, you can help protect others by staying home when you are sick and avoiding contact with others.
You should also cover your mouth and nose with a tissue when you cough and sneeze then throw it away and wash your hands.
Cleaning and disinfecting objects and surfaces which you may have touched is also important.
If you have returned from Wuhan in the last 14 days:
- Stay indoors and avoid contact with other people as you would with other flu viruses
- Call NHS 111 to inform them of your recent travel to the city
- your recent travel to the city
If you are in Northern Ireland, call your GP.
Please follow this advice even if you do not have symptoms of the virus.
Meanwhile, leading symptom-checking provider to the NHS has been updated to help identify patients' risk of having coronavirus.
Source: NHS
NHS hospitals are being offered “uncapped” millions to prepare for a coronavirus outbreak – as Matt Hancock warned the epidemic will get “worse before it gets better”.
The cash is on offer to beef up measures against the killer infection, with all hospitals ordered to create isolation pods to treat potential victims away from other patients.
So far, 1,358 people in the UK have been tested for the virus, with eight cases confirmed.
The Health Secretary told the Commons the new money was being made immediately available “to support any urgent works the NHS needs for the coronavirus response”.
MORE ON CORONAVIRUS
It includes the creation of further isolation areas and any other necessary medical facilities.
He added: “The situation will get worse before it gets better. We will be guided by the science.
“Be in no doubt, we will do everything that is effective to tackle this virus and keep people safe.”
Health Secretary Matt Hancock gives Coronavirus statement to the Commons
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