Coronavirus: 100,000 ‘may already be infected’
Public health expert says UK will get a case ‘sooner or later’

Many tens of thousands of people worldwide may already be infected with the coronavirus, a public health expert has warned.
Although there are only 2,000 confirmed cases, mostly in the Chinese city of Wuhan, Imperial College’s Professor Neil Ferguson told The Guardian that his “best guess” was that around 100,000 people are carrying the virus so far.
Ferguson, whose team have been modelling the Sars-like virus for the World Health Organization (WHO), said the number could be as high as 200,000 - and that the UK is all but certain to join the growing number of countries confirming cases of infection.
The Week
Escape your echo chamber. Get the facts behind the news, plus analysis from multiple perspectives.

Sign up for The Week's Free Newsletters
From our morning news briefing to a weekly Good News Newsletter, get the best of The Week delivered directly to your inbox.
From our morning news briefing to a weekly Good News Newsletter, get the best of The Week delivered directly to your inbox.
“Sooner or later we will get a case,” he said. “There are very large numbers of Chinese tourists across Europe right now. Unless the Chinese manage to control this, and I’m sceptical about whether that is possible, we will get cases here.”
The UK government has been accused of failing to respond to the danger quickly enough, but Home Secretary Priti Patel insisted yesterday that officials were taking “all precautions”.
Labour is calling on the Government to reassure the public that the NHS could cope with an outbreak.
Jonathan Ashworth, the shadow health secretary, said: “The NHS is currently under immense strain this winter with staff already working flat out and hospitals overcrowded. We need urgent reassurance from ministers they have a plan to ensure we have capacity in place to deal with coronavirus should we need to.”
A free daily email with the biggest news stories of the day – and the best features from TheWeek.com
Questions are also being raised over whether the Government will evacuate the estimated 200 Brits trapped in Wuhan, where the first case of the virus was reported in mid December. France, the US and Japan are already putting in place plans to get their citizens out, but Patel would only say that the UK authorities are “looking at all the options”.
A British expatriate living in Wuhan with his wife and four-week-old baby told The Times that he had yet to hear from the UK government. Adam Bridgeman said: “The French are organising some sort of bus service to get you out of Hubei province. But as far as I’m aware the British government isn’t doing anything like that. I haven’t had any contact from them - I would’ve expected some kind of email.”
–––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––For a round-up of the most important stories from around the world - and a concise, refreshing and balanced take on the week’s news agenda - try The Week magazine. Start your trial subscription today –––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––
-
Why are American conservatives clashing with Pope Leo?
Talking Points Comments on immigration and abortion draw backlash
-
9 haunted hotels where things definitely go bump in the night
The Week Recommends Don’t fear these spirited spots. Embrace them.
-
Saudi comedy fest exposes free speech schism in stand-up
IN THE SPOTLIGHT The decision by some of stand-up’s biggest names to attend a festival in a nation infamous for its censorship has the comedy world picking sides and settling old scores
-
Russia is ‘helping China’ prepare for an invasion of Taiwan
In the Spotlight Russia is reportedly allowing China access to military training
-
Interpol arrests hundreds in Africa-wide sextortion crackdown
IN THE SPOTLIGHT A series of stings disrupts major cybercrime operations as law enforcement estimates millions in losses from schemes designed to prey on lonely users
-
China is silently expanding its influence in American cities
Under the Radar New York City and San Francisco, among others, have reportedly been targeted
-
How China uses 'dark fleets' to circumvent trade sanctions
The Explainer The fleets are used to smuggle goods like oil and fish
-
One year after mass protests, why are Kenyans taking to the streets again?
today's big question More than 60 protesters died during demonstrations in 2024
-
What happens if tensions between India and Pakistan boil over?
TODAY'S BIG QUESTION As the two nuclear-armed neighbors rattle their sabers in the wake of a terrorist attack on the contested Kashmir region, experts worry that the worst might be yet to come
-
Why Russia removed the Taliban's terrorist designation
The Explainer Russia had designated the Taliban as a terrorist group over 20 years ago
-
Inside the Israel-Turkey geopolitical dance across Syria
THE EXPLAINER As Syria struggles in the wake of the Assad regime's collapse, its neighbors are carefully coordinating to avoid potential military confrontations