We have placed a Public Health video into The Vet Channel library. This explains the current risk of Coronavirus and directions if they, their friends, family or colleagues believe they may have contracted the disease.
It is clear that the virus is spreading, we felt it our duty to help spread the awareness through our waiting room TV systems installed into thousands of general practices, veterinary practices and dental practices.
The World Health Organization (WHO) has declared that this is a public health emergency.
UK Chief Medical Officers have raised the risk to the UK from low to moderate. This does not mean that the risk to the public is higher but rather it is prudent for the Government to plan for all eventualities.
As of 11th February 2020, a total of 1,358 UK tests have concluded, of which eight have been positive.
The NHS and wider health system are extremely well prepared for these types of outbreaks and follow tried and tested procedures of the highest standards to protect staff, patients and the public.
The Department of Health and Social Care (DHSC) has stepped up its efforts to further assess the risks, as our understanding of the clinical and epidemiological pattern of the disease evolves.
Information about the virus (from gov.uk)
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 (2019-nCov) is a new strain of coronavirus first identified in Wuhan City, China.
See https://www.gov.uk/guidance/wuhan-novel-coronavirus-information-for-the-public for more information.