The following message has been sent c/o local authorities on behalf of the government:
As you are aware, there is an ongoing, respiratory disease outbreak in China of a new Coronavirus called Covid-19 and cases have been reported from various countries across the continents. This is a respiratory infection that causes flu/cold like symptoms (which include cough, shortness of breath and a high temperature) and in the majority of cases is mild but unfortunately has resulted in a number of deaths in China. As this is a new strain, there is a lot that is still not clear including how transmissible the virus is or how long it can live outside of the body (i.e. on surfaces). Work is ongoing at both an international and national level to understand more around this virus as quickly as possible.
The NHS ‘Catch it Bin it Kill it’ campaign that is usually used for seasonal flu but is also being used to help raise public awareness of simple infection control measures to help minimise the possible spread of the virus.
In the UK over 2,000 people have been tested with nine confirmed cases. Public Health England are currently having to trace over 1,000 different people who have come into contact with these confirmed cases. This highlights the potential for the virus to spread quickly as well as the importance of good hygiene which can held limit the impact of a range of viruses, including the Coronavirus.
Thank you for all your help.