China’s president: Lethal virus is spreading faster. This is a grave situation

The Chinese president warned the spread of the coronavirus is ­“accelerating” yesterday as experts predict it will reach Scotland.

Xi Jinping held an emergency government meeting about the crisis yesterday and described the situation as “grave”.

All 31 people – including five in Scotland – so far tested in the UK after developing symptoms have been given the all-clear.

But an infectious diseases expert has told The Sunday Post that authorities expect the virus to reach the UK when Scots may be affected.

The death toll from the virus in China last night stood at 41, and a further 1,372 have been infected.

Fears the virus is spreading out of control have been fuelled by two confirmed cases in Beijing in patients with no links to the area at the source of the outbreak.

A major operation has been launched to evacuate 1,000 Americans trapped in the locked-down city of Wuhan, where the first cases were found last month.

A 230-seat plane was ­chartered to begin the evacuation and US doctors were on board to treat any suspected cases of the so-called snake flu virus.

A public health hub has been set up at Heathrow Airport as UK authorities work to trace 2,000 people known to have flown in from Wuhan in the past fortnight.

Eleven countries, including France and America, now have confirmed cases of the strain called Wuhan novel coronavirus.

The Scottish Government ­yesterday said three more patients in Scotland had tested negative. Two others had been given the all-clear on Friday.

Four of the five tested were Chinese nationals who recently travelled from Wuhan to Scotland.

But a specialist in infectious diseases said: “We are all expecting the virus to reach the UK and for Scots to develop it. For some it will be nasty but those who have died in China are the elderly as far as we know.

“Those with underlying health problems like diabetes are believed to be more likely to ­suffer complications. The current flu vaccine will not offer protection from this virus.”

The medic added: “The HIV anti treatment may offer some hope but we must use it carefully.

“The patient would have to be very unwell and risk dying then that is when experimental treatment like this is used.”

The new strain of coronavirus was detected in Wuhan last month and is thought to have originated from a seafood market that has since been shut down.

A statement from the Department of Health and Social Care said: “There are currently no confirmed cases in the UK or of UK citizens abroad, and the risk to the public is low.

“The government is ­monitoring the situation closely and will continue to work with the World Health Organisation and international community.”

Anyone who suspects they may have the virus is advised to call for medical assistance from home to lessen the chances of passing it on to others.

GPs are being told to ­immediately isolate patients who turn up at surgeries.

Dr Dave Chung, head of the Royal College of Emergency Medicine in Scotland, said: “It is not as serious as Ebola but people do die from viruses. The truth about how it will affect the UK population will unfold if and when it arrives here.”

China has declared a level one emergency in 30 provinces and regions and at least 17 cities placed in lockdown, affecting 50 million residents.

A team of 450 medics, some with experience of treating Ebola, have been sent to the area by the Chinese military.