What is the Coronavirus?

The World Health Organisation explains that coronaviruses (CoV) are a large family of viruses that cause illnesses ranging from the common cold to more severe diseases such as SARS (Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome).

This particular episode has been named ‘2019-nCoV’. It first appeared in December 2019 in Wuhan, which is within the Hubei province, China. A seafood market has been identified as the possible source of the virus.

You can find information on Coronavirus including the government response here.

How is the virus passed on?

The virus is most likely to spread from person to person through:

• Direct contact with a person while they are infectious.
• Contact with droplets when an infected person coughs or sneezes; or
• Touching objects or surfaces (such as drinking mugs or desks) that were contaminated by droplets from secretions coughed or sneezed from an infected person with a confirmed infection, and then touching your mouth or face.

• Anyone with a fever or persistent cough should stay at home for seven days if they live alone or 14 days if they live with others. Anyone who lives with someone displaying coronavirus symptoms should also stay at home for 14 days. People who have to isolate
  themselves should ask others for help
• Everyone should stop non-essential contact with others. This is particularly important for people over 70, those with underlying health conditions and pregnant women
• People should work from home where they can
• People should avoid places like pubs, clubs and theatres. This applies especially to those in London which is "a few weeks ahead" of the rest of the UK
• People should stop all unnecessary travel