Coronavirus, named COVID-19, has mutated into two separate strains, according to researchers at Peking University’s School of Life Sciences and the Institut Pasteur of Shanghai. They found a more aggressive and less aggressive type of the virus exists. But what is the likelihood of this happening? Dr Hilary compared coronavirus with the behaviour of flu.
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Coronavirus: Does hand sanitiser actually kill the virus?
Appearing on ITV’s Lorraine, he explained: “In China they’re talking about identifying two strains of this coronavirus – one of which is milder and gives people mild symptoms, just like a cold.
“And some people have this aggressive form, which is a much more severe illness.
“This could easily account for the fact that some people are hospitalised with severe symptoms, and other people go about their normal lives, a cough and a cold, just like ordinary severe colds or flu. So that’s quite likely.”
Dr Hilary continued: “When you think about how a virus mutates and it regenerates, in one person the virus will go from one virus to two viruses to four viruses to eight viruses, and as it becomes billions of viruses, within a matter of hours, the chances of a mutation are quite high.
“So in an epidemic, it’s quite likely to mutate into a milder form or a more aggressive form.
“It doesn’t really changes what we do or what we tell people at all.”
Dr Hilary’s advice right now is for people to go about their normal lives.
He said: “They [people] should be going about their normal lives – they should be keeping this within perspective.
“They should be making sure the most vulnerable people, like people over 80, are getting their deliveries and not going out to places where there are lots of people, and making sure they report any symptoms should they get them immediately.
“But for everybody else, go about your normal duties, hand wash frequently.”
The best way to slow the spread of coronavirus
Health officials are advising people wash their hands more often than usual, for 20 seconds and whenever you:
- Get home or into work
- Blow your nose, sneeze or cough
- Eat or handle food
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The health body adds it’s important to use soap and water or a hand sanitiser.
People across the globe have bought facemarks in a bid to prevent catching and spreading coronavirus.
But while face masks play an important role in places like hospitals, there is little evidence of widespread benefits for members of the public.
Concerned shoppers across the UK and US have been panic-buying in bulk hand sanitiser, but health experts have suggested regular hand washing is more effective.
Another item which has flown off supermarket shelves particularly in Australia is toilet paper.
But Dr Hilary reassured people there’s no need to stockpile toilet roll in the UK.
Symptoms of coronavirus
The three main symptoms are listed as:
- A cough
- A high temperature
- Shortness of breath
People only need to stay away from public places (self-isolate) if advised to do so by the 111 online coronavirus service or a medical professional.
You should use the NHS 111 online coronavirus service if:
- You think you might have coronavirus
- In the last 14 days you’ve been to a country or area with a high risk of coronavirus
- You’ve been in close contact with someone with coronavirus
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