Since the outbreak began in China’s Hubei Province, Covid-19 has spread to thousands of infected patients in China, and now the United Kingdom. A confirmed case has been reported in the City of Westminster, earlier today. The patient is said to be a young woman, who had landed at Heathrow Airport after boarding a flight arriving from Hong Kong, a few days prior to showing symptoms. 

Flights from China to the UK and other countries have been suspended in order to counteract the spread of the virus, as have domestic flights in and around the Hubei Province. Public Health England have announced a Covid-19 warning list to help people avoid travelling through areas where the virus has spread. Measures are also being taken by airline organisations in tandem with hospitals and governments to prevent further outbreak of the virus.

London’s first case of Covid-19 is likely to infect others in the past few days, and warnings have been put out to protect members of the public from the viral infection. Another carrier of the virus, also at St Thomas Hospital, has been given the all clear, following several negative tests. Steve Walsh, 53, had been infected in Singapore, before going on a ski trip to the Alps, during which others caught the potentially fatal virus. 

A strategic director for the NHS, Professor Keith Willet, has described Mr. Walsh as “keen to return to his normal life and spend time with his family out of the media spotlight” after finding he is no longer contagious, and gives credit to the medical staff of the NHS “who are working hard with other health organisations to limit the spread of coronavirus and treat the small numbers who have contracted the illness.”

After showing signs of fever, sore throat, and shortness of breath, the London patient was taken to the St. Thomas Hospital in Central London to be diagnosed. In Oxfordshire, a test for Covid-19 on two prisoners showing symptoms had negative results, as did 83 people held in quarantine at Arrowe Park Hospital in Wirral, North West England.

It is not known whether the victims family members have also showed any symptoms of the virus, and the patient has been given permission to return home earlier this week. She has kept herself in isolation and no reports of the virus spreading in the local area have been reported as of yet.

Fellow passengers on the flight have been contacted to accommodate testing for the virus and prevent further outbreak. As of this morning, the virus has spread to over 1,100 victims in China alone. Due to large amounts of flight traffic through China’s mainland, Covid-19 has spread to neighbouring countries as well as the UK, US and Europe. 

Two GPs in Brighton have also closed recently in response the outbreak, urging pupils to isolate themselves and stay at home rather than attend school. Doctors are urging residents of the UK to monitor their health, with students in some areas being told to stay at home for up to two weeks, to prevent the spread of the virus in and around schools.

In spite of this, the Patcham Care Home in Brighton has decided to stay open. A spokesperson commenting on behalf of the care home has said that “Thanks must go to Public Health England for its support and advice over the last few days, to all the families and visitors who have been patient and understanding, to our staff who have been superb, and last, but not least, to our residents who have been good-natured and uncomplaining throughout.” Those with weaker immune systems are more likely to become infected by the virus, and more likely to display harsher symptoms.

Doctors are advising anyone who is showing symptoms of COVID-19 to contact NHS 111 immediately and without hesitation. 

The virus itself is unresponsive to antibiotics unlike other chest infections. Symptoms of Covid-19 are similar to pneumonia and chest infections, but are much more severe. These include; 

• High Fevers
• Shortness of Breath
• Bad coughs

Covid-19 is a viral form of pneumonia, and antibiotics or antiviral flu drugs will not be able to combat the symptoms effectively. Recovery depends on the strength of the immune system, and the spread of coronavirus is likely to be reduced by more careful hygiene. It is unknown how contagious the virus is, but those with weaker immune systems are more likely to be affected by the current outbreak.