UK Coronavirus cases will rocket, but most will recover: Deputy Chief Medical Officer

10 March 2020, 09:04 | Updated: 10 March 2020, 12:22

By Adrian Sherling

The Deputy Chief Medical Officer for England has told LBC that many thousands of people can expect to contract coronavirus, but the majority will fully recover.

The UK currently has 319 cases of coronavirus, but the rate has been rising more quickly in recent days.

The government have insisted they are remaining in the containment phase of stopping COVID-19 and have not moved on to the second delay phase.

Dr Jenny Harries expects that rate to rocket within the next couple of weeks.

Dr Jenny Harries said the rise in coronavirus cases is still gentle in the UK
Dr Jenny Harries said the rise in coronavirus cases is still gentle in the UK. Picture: LBC / PA
However, it looks very different if you add in other European countries
However, it looks very different if you add in other European countries. Picture: LBC / PA

Speaking to Nick Ferrari, she said: "We're not really at the rocket phase yet. We are rising gently at the start and we would expect more cases.

"The interventions that we would want to bring in would be to manage that sharp rise when it arrives and we're not quite there yet.

"Our Chief Medical Officer said yesterday that we would be offering guidance on safe working at home in the next 10-14 days."

Nick Ferrari spoke to the Deputy Chief Medical Officer about the spread of coronavirus
Nick Ferrari spoke to the Deputy Chief Medical Officer about the spread of coronavirus. Picture: PA / LBC

With regards to what that actually means for real numbers of people affected, Dr Harries confirmed that the worst-case scenario they are working towards is 80% of the population is infected, but noted that in Wuhan, the epicentre of the coronavirus, fewer than 20% of people caught the virus.

Urging people to avoid panic, she said: "This is a mild disease for the vast majority of people. 99% of people will get better. It's very mild in the cases that we've seen so far and people can quite safely remain at home. It's a bit like having a bit of flu.

"We do know that older people and people with underlying medical conditions are most at risk and those are the people who the government is particularly concerned to be protecting."

More Nick Ferrari

See more More Nick Ferrari

Exclusive
The mural on the wall of the Golden Chippy

A Greenwich fish and chip shop that's causing a stink over painting, as owner tells LBC he's 'determined to keep mural up'

Rishi Sunak’s job is under threat from a plot of backbench Tory MPs who want to replace him with Penny Mordaunt before the general election.

Tories 'need to stop messing around and get behind the Prime Minister,' Business Secretary tells LBC

Exclusive
'This is trivia': Kemi Badenoch hits out at continued furore over Tory donor 'racism' row

'This is trivia': Kemi Badenoch hits out at continued furore over Tory donor 'racism' row

Government suspends tariffs on key imports to boost SMEs launching £660 million northern powerhouse fund

Government suspends tariffs on key imports to boost SMEs launching £660 million northern powerhouse fund

'Floating voters' unconvinced by Jeremy Hunt's Budget

LBC's 'Floating Voters' left unconvinced by Jeremy Hunt's Budget

Leila Khaled, who hijacked planes, will appear via video link at a fundraiser hosted by the Palestine Solidarity Campaign. Andy Street wants police to look at the event

'I'm not comfortable with it': West Mids Mayor to speak to police amid fury over Palestinian hijacker’s fundraiser

Andy Street taking calls from the public on Nick Ferrari at Breakfast

Tory MP's claim that Birmingham has 'no-go areas' was 'ridiculous', West Midlands Mayor tells LBC

Minister quizzed on tweet where he described Trump as 'cancer'

Minister Bim Afolami says tweet in which he referred to Donald Trump as 'a cancer' is appropriate

Lee Anderson

Police 'looking into hate speech complaint against Lee Anderson' after MP said Sadiq Khan was controlled by Islamists

Richard Tice said he turned down two Tories who tried to join the party

Reform UK leader Richard Tice says he rejected two Tory MPs who tried to defect in the last year

Michael Tomlinson repeatedly refused to answer Nick Ferrari's question

Nick Ferrari cuts off minister who refuses to answer his questions nine times over Lee Anderson's 'Islamophobic remarks'

Rishi Sunak is facing a revolt for sacking Lee Anderson

Lee Anderson refuses to apologise for 'Islamist' comments as he doubles down on criticism of Sadiq Khan

Rishi Sunak is facing a revolt for sacking Lee Anderson

PM denies Tories have 'Islamophobic tendencies' as minister says Lee Anderson's comments were 'profoundly wrong'

Dame Esther Rantzen has told LBC why she is campaigning to change the law on assisted dying

‘Dogs get treated better than humans’, Esther Rantzen says, as TV legend demands assisted dying law change

Rishi Sunak (l) puts on a brave face to the Tories by-election defeats on a visit to Harlow. New Kingswood MP Damien Egan (top r) and Wellingborough MP Gem Kitchen (bottom r)

Rishi Sunak begs frustrated Tories 'not to put Starmer in power' after party suffers double by-election disaster

New Labour MPs Damien Egan and Gen Kitchen

'They are not very good results': Tory chairman admits after double by-election drubbings as MPs call for tax cuts