Coronavirus is spreading across the world but much remains unknown about how this new killer strain attacks the body.

The disease, called Covid-19, is just two months old but experts already understand it is transmitted when an infected person spreads viral droplets from their nose or mouth.

These infected mucus or saliva droplets are released in the usual way – when we cough, sneeze, speak and breathe. The viral droplets infect other people when they enter their body through the eyes, nose or mouth.

As with the flu, coronavirus will move into a person’s airways and attack the lungs. Dr Simon Clarke, an expert in cellular microbiology from the University of Reading, said coronaviruses attack an immune system like any other virus.

He told Metro.co.uk: ‘Viruses are unable to reproduce cells themselves, unlike bacteria or human cells, so it infects our cells in order to make a copy of itself.

‘When it does that, your body’s immune system reacts in a multitude of different ways and causes inflammation to get rid of the infection.’

He added: ‘It’s a combination of compromising cell function, destroying cells while the virus is hacking them, and the immune response that causes the problem.’

All this happens in tissues and airways deep inside the lungs rather than the nose.

This reaction, causing inflammation in the lungs and tiny air sacs, can make breathing even more difficult.

It can progress to pneumonia and ultimately organ failure.

When a person already has an underlying health problem with their lungs or heart, they have a weakened immune system and are more likely to fall ill.

Dr Clarke said people with cardiovascular problems, asthma, and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease are most at risk.

He added: ‘Any condition to do with the heart and lungs, because those two organs are intimately connected, puts you at greater risk.’

Dr Clarke said prevention measures for people with underlying health conditions are the same for anyone else – practice safe hand hygiene and listen to your doctor.

He added: ‘I would not advise isolating as a precaution unless advised to by their doctor.

‘Their doctor will have a good overall picture of their general health. People who have asthmas may be healthy in every other regard.

‘While it might cause them a problem, the chances are that it will not.’

The number of people who have tested positive for coronavirus jumped to 51, Health Secretary Man Hancock confirmed in Parliament today.

England’s chief medical officer Professor Chris Whitty said probably around 1% of people who get coronavirus might end up dying, but the death rate varies according to age group.

Experts have also warned the Covid-19 strain is new and people have a lack of immunity to it, meaning it ‘has the potential to spread extensively’.

Speaking from Downing Street, Boris Johnson said it is ‘highly likely’ the UK will see a growing number of coronavirus cases.

But the Prime Minister stressed that ‘for the vast majority of people in this country we should be going about our business as usual’.

During a press conference in 10 Downing Street, Mr Johnson outlined the Government’s plan to ‘contain, delay, research, mitigate’ a potentially serious outbreak.

He warned that up to one fifth of employees in all sectors ‘may be absent from work during peak weeks’, and police would have to concentrate on serious crimes and public order if forces suffer large staff absences during an outbreak.

National coronavirus plan: What are the key points?

Here are the key points from the Government’s plan to tackle coronavirus in the UK.

• If police lose ‘significant staff’ numbers to illness, they would ‘concentrate on responding to serious crimes and maintaining public order’.
• In a ‘stretching scenario’, it is possible that up to one fifth of employees may be absent from work during peak weeks.
• Everyone will face increased pressures at work, as well as potentially their own illness and caring responsibilities. Supporting staff welfare ‘will be critical’ for businesses.
• The UK has stockpiles of medicines for the NHS, plus protective clothing and equipment for medical staff.
• The public can help delay the spread of the virus by washing hands with soap regularly, not spreading misinformation and relying on trusted sources. They should also ensure family vaccines are up to date and check on family, friends and neighbours. They should also check Foreign Office advice before travelling abroad and be understanding of the pressures the health service is under.
• The public will be asked to accept that ‘the advice for managing Covid-19 for most people will be self-isolation at home and simple over the counter medicines’.
• If coronavirus becomes established, there will be a focus on essential services and helping those ‘most at risk to access the right treatment’.
• During the mitigation phase, when the virus is much more widespread, ‘pressures on services and wider society may become significant and clearly noticeable’.

• The Ministry of Defence will provide support as needed, including to essential services.
• There will be increased Government communication with Parliament, the public and the media if the virus becomes more widespread.
• All Government departments to have a lead person for coronavirus.
• If the virus takes hold, social distancing strategies could include school closures, encouraging greater home working, reducing the number of large scale gatherings and closing other educational settings.
• It is possible that an outbreak or pandemic of Covid-19 could come in multiple waves.
• Non-urgent operations and other procedures could be cancelled, and hospital discharges monitored to free-up beds, with appropriate care in people’s homes.
• Hospital worker shifts could be altered and leavers or retirees called ‘back to duty’.
• Measures exist to help businesses with short-term cash flow problems.
• There is a distribution strategy for sending out key medicines and equipment to NHS and social care.
• This strain of coronavirus is new and people have a lack of immunity to it, meaning ‘Covid-19 has the potential to spread extensively’.
• Everyone is susceptible to catching the disease and thus it is ‘more likely than not that the UK will be significantly affected’.
• There could be an ‘increase in deaths arising from the outbreak, particularly among vulnerable and elderly groups’.
• While most people will suffer mild to moderate symptoms, similar to seasonal flu, some will need hospital care due to pneumonia developing.
• Young children can become infected and ‘suffer severe illness’, but overall the illness is less common in the under-20s.

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