The overall number of confirmed coronavirus – now called Covid-19 – cases have grown to more than 59 800 on mainland China, with confirmed diagnoses in more than 20 countries, and the number keeps on growing.

Total confirmed cases, worldwide, are currently in excess of 61 000.

You can keep up with the numbers, and the spread of the virus, using Johns Hopkins’ live map of the infection.

In the UK, nine people have been diagnosed with Covid-19, up from eight, on Monday.

Britons are naturally concerned, and many have started taking precautions to limit their exposure to the virus.

The Guardian describes panic and fear across the UK.

The majority of those who got in touch seemed to be under the impression that the risk of becoming infected in Britain had become more concrete, and many reported having stocked up on hand sanitisers, face masks and disposable gloves.

…Ian*, 41, who runs a computer services business in Brighton, was one of several people who said they had purchased goggles: “There’s no reason to panic, but let’s not be complacent,” he said.

“I even have a half-mask respirator, though I hope I never need to use it.

Ian is not his real name, but he is one of the many who have altered their lifestyles in an attempt to fend off infection.

Even among those who are less worried, several people said they had started stockpiling food and other supplies, such as instant noodles.

…Various people, from Hampshire to Manchester, expressed their refusal to travel to London, as they suspected the risk of contagion may be higher there.

Mary, a 29-year-old accountant from London, appears to agree, and wears an N95 mask wherever she goes. “I have stopped going to the gym, as in my opinion it is one of the more densely crowded areas. I’ve also stopped using public transport and where possible I’m driving. Where I can’t drive, I will either walk or use a bicycle. Social events are pretty much all cancelled,” she said.

Cathy, from Birmingham, is contemplating working from home so that she doesn’t have to go to the city centre.

The BBC put together this flow chart to map the spread of the infection in the UK so far:

Steve Walsh contracted the virus at a business conference in Singapore.

The 53-year-old had stopped over for four days at a French ski resort to see friends on his way back from the business conference. Unbeknown to him, he was spreading the virus as he went.

By the time he alerted the NHS and Public Health England (PHE), after being contacted by Singaporean authorities about the spread of coronavirus at that conference, he had already passed it on to 11 other Britons at the resort.

Five of those people, including two GPs, were already back in the UK by the time that Walsh was diagnosed. By then they had all come into contact with hundreds of people, giving the virus a real opportunity to take hold in Britain.

While Walsh was the first Briton to be diagnosed, two Chinese nationals, both in York were infected with the virus, but had minimal contact with others.

PHE medical director Paul Cosford says the system of contact-tracing, isolation and testing is the best way of stopping the spread of the coronavirus.

He describes it as “incredibly robust” as shown by the fact the other Britons infected by Mr Walsh were found through the contact-tracing process

“That suggests it is working. If we can identify cases early, we can stop the spread.”

It sounds like the UK is on top of things.

The biggest risk to world health safety at the moment is the spread of the virus to countries that don’t have the infrastructure to contain it.

If you have been in contact with someone from one of the infected countries, have a high fever, and flu-like symptoms, go to a doctor.

When it comes to prevention, experts suggest regular hand-washing.

[source:guardian&bbc]