There is no specific treatment, although doctors are trialling existing drugs for viruses such as Ebola and HIV. Early results seem promising but, until full clinical trials have been concluded, doctors cannot be certain that the drugs are effective. 

Work to develop a vaccine is accelerating, but this work has been complicated by the virus mutating into a second strain.

Read more: How long will we have to wait for a coronavirus vaccine?

How is coronavirus spread?

Like cold and flu bugs, the virus is spread via droplets when a person coughs or sneezes. The droplets land on surfaces and are picked up on the hands of others and spread further. People catch the virus when they touch their infected hands to their mouth, nose or eyes.

It follows that the single most important thing you can do to protect yourself is keep your hands clean by washing them frequently with soap and water or a hand sanitising gel.

For more information on how to protect yourself, go to our guides on symptoms and treatments.

What are the symptoms of coronavirus?

Initial symptoms include fever, dry cough, tiredness and a general feeling of being unwell. For a full read-out of the symptoms and treatment of coronavirus, click here.

How many people have died from the disease so far?

More than 272,000 cases have been confirmed since the outbreak started, and the death toll has exceeded 11,300. The majority of cases are now outside China, and the virus has spread to more than 100 other countries.

According to data from the Chinese authorities, around 80 per cent of cases of the disease are mild, but 20 per cent require hospitalisation, and the death rate has varied by country.