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By the end of the month, scientists believe hundreds of thousands of people in the Chinese province could be infected, with the virus rapidly spreading. Wuhan was placed into lockdown, with residents told they should not leave until the situation is brought under control. But hospitals in Wuhan are said to be “overwhelmed” by the number of people who are seeking advice and medical treatment.

Numbers infected could rise to 350,000 in Wuhan alone say scientists

Wuhan is currently in lockdown

The government is now ordering a six-day construction of a new hospital in Wuhan to attempt to address the issue. In a shock move, parts of the Great Wall of China and Disneyland in Shanghai were shut tin a bid to stem the spread of the virus. Coronaviruses are a virus species usually responsible for a significant percentage of the common colds in adults and children. Some people suffer mild illness with cold like symptoms, whereas others are struck down heavily by the deathly disease. READ MORE: Coronavirus: Why the latest coronavirus will struggle to survive

The virus has spread to a number of countries

Ventilation is just one preventative measure

Scientists warn the virus could spread rapidly

Dr Jonathan Read, a biostatistics researcher at Lancaster University wrote to his colleagues on the matter. He said: “If no change in control or transmission happens, then we expect further outbreaks to occur in other Chinese cities, and that infections will continue to be exported to international destinations at an increasing rate. “In 14 days’ time (4 February 2020), our model predicts the number of infected people in Wuhan to be greater than 250 thousand (prediction interval, 164,602 to 351,396)…

The coronavirus mapped

“…We also predict that by 4 Feb 2020, the countries or special administrative regions at greatest risk of importing infections through air travel are Thailand, Japan, Taiwan, Hong Kong, and South Korea.” The World Health Organisation has concluded it is “too early” to be able to declare an international public health emergency over the virus. Dr Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus, the director-general of the WHO, said; “Make no mistake. This is an emergency in China. “But it has not yet become a global health emergency. It may yet become one.” Britons have been advised not to travel to Wuhan unless it is absolutely essential.

All 14 suspected cases in the UK have been confirmed negative

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