Philip Hammond said that the outbreak had the potential to cause huge disruption to supply chains

Coronavirus could pose a greater risk to the economy than a no-deal Brexit, according to the former chancellor Philip Hammond.

The former Conservative MP said that outbreak had the potential to “cause similar” or “greater levels” of disruption to supply chains than a no-deal Brexit.

His intervention comes as the Department of Health revealed that more than 200 people have now tested positive for coronavirus in the UK.

More than 3,500 people on the cruise ship Grand Princess, including 140 Britons, are undergoing testing CAROLINE WRIGHT/GETTY IMAGES

In total, 206 people had tested positive for Covid-19 as of 7am on Saturday, a rise of 42 from the 164 cases that had been confirmed by Friday evening. More than 21,000 people had been tested for the virus.

The updated figures come as US authorities prepare to respond to a cruise ship carrying British passengers off