Expert John Campbell has said that the Coronavirus will be in Cumbria in the “new future.”
Carlisle-based doctor John Campbell, who has studied and taught about diseases for many years, says that “Unfortunately I expect there to be cases in Cumbria in the not too distant future.”
He also said: “I would be surprised not to see more cases across the UK in the next few days or so too.”
He has also said that many people are collaborating around the world to produce a vaccine, but John says it will take some time.
“Everyone is working on a vaccine. The Americans and Chinese have a vaccine and they are at the stage of animal testing.
“Then we move on to phase one clinical trials. It is not going to be ready for people to inject arms in Carlisle this year, it will be 2021.”
Doctors around the world have figured out that the virus has a 0.2 per cent death rate in those under 40, 0.4 per cent for those aged between 40 and 50, 1.3 per cent for 50-year-olds, 3.6 per cent for those in their sixties, eight per cent for those in their seventies and 14.8 per cent for anyone aged 80 and above.
Campbell is in contact with a number of other doctors across the world who also share their findings.
“I have had emails from doctors from Iran who think the death rate there is higher than the death rate in China.
“The virus cases there also seem to be may be more pathogenic, but it is unclear whether this is due to the virulence of the viral strain in Iran or difficulty accessing healthcare.
“Obviously this is only a small number of doctors, so it’s also not a representative sample.
“We don’t know for sure as the information from Iran is hard to come by.”
Director of Public Health for Cumbria County Council Colin Cox also said: “Given the way things are developing, particularly in Italy, I wouldn’t be surprised if there were more cases in the UK – there are bound to be – I wouldn’t be at all surprised if we eventually got some cases in Cumbria.”
“Keep an eye out for symptoms. At every time of the year we say this around flu, people should be observing things like good hand hygiene. If you’re coughing or sneezing use a handkerchief and bin the tissue afterwards.
“Make sure you’re washing your hands thoroughly.”
Despite this, he says the county in prepared to deal with the virus.
He recommended anyone with concerns call 111.
