UNDIAGNOSED
Up to 10,000 have already got coronavirus in UK – and peak is still weeks away, says Boris
UP TO 10,000 Brits could already be infected with undiagnosed coronavirus, experts warned today.
Speaking after a COBRA meeting, Boris Johnson said the number of cases in the UK is expected to rise sharply - warning the peak is still weeks away.
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The PM announced the Government has moved to the second stage of a four-part plan to tackle coronavirus.
The "delay" phase means steps will now be taken to slow the spread of the deadly bug, to reduce the number of people who fall ill.
By pushing the peak of the crisis into warmer months - the hope is it will relieve pressure on an already stretched NHS.
It comes as the Government Chief Scientific Adviser, Sir Patrick Vallance, warned the 590 reported cases in the UK could be the tip of the iceberg.
He estimated the true number could be between 5,00o and 10,000 people already infected - most undiagnosed.
"Currently we are on a trajectory that looks as though it is about four weeks or so behind Italy and some other countries in Europe," he said.
"There are currently 590 cases that have been identified in the UK and there are more than 20 patients in intensive care units.
"If you calculate what that really means in terms of the total number, it is much more likely that we have between 5,000 and 10,000 people infected at the moment.
"That is still a relatively small number."
'Worst public health crisis in generation'
The Prime Minister said coronavirus is the "worst public health crisis for a generation" as he set out new measures that could cause "severe disruption for many months".
He said anyone with any Covid-19 symptoms - however mild - including a continuous cough or high temperature, should now stay at home and self-isolate for seven days.
"If we delay the peaks by even a few weeks, then our NHS will be in a stronger state as the weather improves and fewer people suffer from normal respiratory diseases, and there will be more beds available and we will have more time for medical research," the Prime Minister said.
"We can also act to stretch the peak of the disease over a longer period so that our society is better able to cope."
But, the PM said families would continue to "lose loved ones before their time", as the outbreak worsens.
Today, officials figures showed UK cases have exploded, reaching 590 - up from 456 yesterday. With 134 new infections reported, it marks the sharpest rise in cases recorded so far.
Meanwhile, an 89-year-old woman became the latest person to die after being treated at Charing Cross Hospital in London.
So far, ten people in the UK have lost their lives to the bug.
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Risk increases with age
People of all ages can catch coronavirus, but the NHS warns, "older people and people with pre-existing medical conditions are more likely to become severely ill with the virus".
Infectious disease experts define "older people" as anyone aged 60 and over.
Research has shown that people over the age of 60 made up more than 80 per cent of deaths from the disease in China.
And experts believe that the risk from Covid-19 may increase with age.
A major study published in the analysed more than 72,000 Chinese patients who had contracted the virus.
They found the overall fatality rate was 2.3 per cent - but in adults over the age of 80, this rose to almost 15 per cent.
Scientists from the Chinese Center for Disease Control and Prevention released the breakdown of their calculations via age:
- 10-19: 0.2%
- 20-29: 0.2%
- 30-39: 0.2%
- 40-49: 0.4%
- 50-59: 1.3%
- 60-69: 3.6%
- 70-79: 8%
- 80 and older: 14.8%
And while most people know to prepare for the seasonal flu - with free vaccines offered to the over 65s every year - this new virus so far appears to be much deadlier.
Figures from the US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention show that the influenza mortality rate for those 65 and over is 0.83 per cent.
One of the reasons coronavirus is thought to be deadlier than flu is because it's completely new and the first time humans have encountered it.
Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus, the director-general of the World Health Organisation, said: "While many people globally have built up immunity to seasonal flu strains, Covid-19 is a new virus to which no one has immunity.
"That means more people are susceptible to infection, and some will suffer severe disease."
There is also no vaccine for the new coronavirus - or any known cures.
Underlying health conditions
Meanwhile, underlying health issues, including asthma, heart disease and diabetes, increase a person's risk.
Another group at risk, are those with conditions that weaken the immune system - including cancer patients, undergoing treatment.
While most will recover from Covid-19 after a few days' rest, for some it can be a more severe - and in rare cases, life-threatening - illness.
Asthma UK told The Sun it's important anyone with the respiratory condition takes extra care.
"We know that the risk to people with asthma from viruses like coronavirus is higher than the general population, so we are encouraging people to make sure their asthma is well-manage."
The charity is urging people to take their preventer inhaler (usually brown) daily, as prescribed - to lower the risk of suffering an asthma attack, triggered by coronavirus.
While not an underlying condition, smokers and vapers are also at a greater risk of dying from coronavirus as it can make you more vulnerable to suffering complications of the infection.
Stay away from older people
Dr Sarah Jarvis, GP and Clinical Director of Patient Access, said: "We know that as you get older, your immune system becomes less efficient – that’s why older people are at higher risk of serious complications of coronavirus infection.
"So are people with long term conditions like diabetes, lung conditions or heart disease, as well as serious kidney or liver problems and people who take medicines for conditions which affect their immune system.
"That would include some people with multiple sclerosis, rheumatoid arthritis, cancer and others.
"If your immune system isn’t strong, it’s more likely that the virus can multiply deep inside your lung, causing inflammation and scarring.
"Your immune system will try and fight it off, and will often destroy healthy lung tissue in the process.
"This makes you more prone to get ‘secondary’ infections like pneumococcal pneumonia.
"It’s important to stay away from older or vulnerable members of the family for at least a week if you have any symptoms of a cold, including fever, cough or shortness of breath.
"Kids tend to get coughs and colds often, and we’re not sure how good they are at spreading it to others.
"But until we do know, it’s a good idea to err on the side of caution and keep them away if they have any symptoms."
MORE ON CORONAVIRUS
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Brits told to self-isolate for a week if they have a 'mild' cold or a cough
BRITS are being told to do their duty for the country's coronavirus effort and self-isolate for seven days if they have a mild cough or cold.
Anyone with even mild symptoms should not leave home for seven days from when their symptoms start to stop the virus spreading.
People staying at home for seven days should stay at least two metres away from people whenever possible, according to Public Health England's guidelines.
They should also sleep alone - as well as wash their hands regularly for 20 seconds with soap and water.
Whole families could have to self-isolate if ONE has symptoms in future
FAMILIES could soon be told to self-isolate if just ONE of them has coronavirus symptoms, it emerged today.
At the moment Brits who get ill are being told to stay away from the people in their home as best they can - and avoid contact with others.
But in future whole families could have to go into lockdown to stop the spread further, experts said earlier.
That could be for up to a fortnight to make sure that everyone in the family has time for the symptoms to show and to get over the most infectious part of the disease.
However, that is not advice the Government is recommending at the moment - as we are not yet at the peak of the illness.
Elderly people warned not to go on cruises
BORIS JOHNSON tonight warned people over 70 with serious medical conditions should avoid taking cruises to protect them from coronavirus.
The new advice is based on guidance from the Chief Medical Officer Chris Whitty, and follows a number of cases around the world of cruise ships experiencing outbreaks on board.
Underlying conditions include diabetes, respiratory disease, asthma, chronic heart, liver or neurological disease, a weakened immune system or any recent or undergoing chemotherapy.
A Foreign Office spokesman said: "The nature and design of cruise ships – where passengers are contained and the virus can spread faster - makes them a particularly risky environment for vulnerable people.”
SCHOOLS won't be closed over coronavirus fears - but will be forced to ditch foreign trips
Boris Johnson today confirmed schools would stay open because closing them could actually make things worse.The Prime Minister vowed to keep them open for now but slapped a ban on school trips abroad.
Instead schools will be monitored and only forced to close on an individual basis.
Mr Johnson said: "We are not closing schools now, the scientific advice is that this could do more harm than good at this time.
"Schools should only close if they are specifically advised to do so."
Boris rules out cancelling public gatherings for now despite Scotland ban
Boris Johnson has ruled out cancelling public gatherings over the coronavirus despite Scotland issuing a ban.
The Prime Minister refused to cancel sporting events and concerts to combat the disease as it offered no real benefit.
His decision comes as Scotland banned gatherings of more than 500 people.
He said: "The scientific advice as we’ve said over the last couple of weeks is that banning such events will have little effect on the spread.
"So we’re discussing these issues with colleagues in all parts of the United Kingdom and will have more to say shortly about the timing of further action in that respect.”
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