Coronavirus, the deadly virus that originated in the Chinese city of Wuhan, has already claimed 910 victims globally and the rapid spread of the disease has prompted the UK Government to declare coronavirus as a serious and imminent threat to public health. The move gives the Government additional powers to fight the spread of the virus. But a leading expert has warned that if coronavirus continues to spread the NHS would be unable to cope.

The health ministry said: “The Secretary of State declares that the incidence or transmission of novel coronavirus constitutes a serious and imminent threat to public health.

“Measures outlined in these regulations are considered as an effective means of delaying or preventing further transmission of the virus.”

The announcement by the Government follows comments by Professor Peter Piot, director of the London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine who co-discovered Ebola, who warned the UK is at risk of a “major” outbreak of the deadly disease.

The microbiologist said he is “increasingly alarmed” by the speed at which coronavirus has spread and the large numbers of cases that are revealed each day – which far exceeds the sars outbreak of 2002-2003.

Speaking to The Sunday Times, Professor Piot did acknowledge that the death rate among those infected is relatively low, but warned this does not mean coronavirus does not pose a risk.

He said: “If the number of people who get infected is huge, then that will also kill a number of people.”

The expert added: “It’s a greater threat because of the mode of transmission.

“The potential for spread is much, much higher.”

Professor Piot, a former under-secretary-general of the UN who championed the fight against Aids, warned that an increase in cases in the UK could put a severe strain on the NHS.

He said: “You know how already overburdened the NHS is and if you’ve got a sudden major rise in cases of pneumonia or milder respiratory infections…

“The NHS can hardly cope with the normal situation.”

His warning comes as the UK Government declares coronavirus a “serious and imminent threat” to public health.

Yesterday a plane carrying British citizens evacuated from the coronavirus-hit city of Wuhan landed in Oxfordshire, at RAF Prize Norton shortly before 7.30am.

The Foreign and Commonwealth Office said it was the second and final flight to be chartered by the Government.

The 200 passengers on board, which included some foreign nationals, were taken to Kents Hill Park hotel and conference centre in Milton Keynes, Buckinghamshire, where they will be quarantined for 14 days.

In this morning’s statement, the health ministry designated the hotel as an “isolation” facility, as well as Arrowe Park Hospital, where the first plane-full of Britons are in quarantine.

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