To stop the coronavirus, the world must resist both complacency and panic

Editorial: We can expect this crisis to get worse before it gets better

The decision to hold a meeting of the UK government’s Cobra emergency committee yesterday was a welcome sign that ministers were taking seriously the outbreak of the coronavirus which began in China. It was also an ominous reminder that Britain cannot expect to escape its shadow.

After the meeting, Matt Hancock, the health secretary, said the risk to the public “remains low”, though previously it was put at “very low”. So far, 14 patients tested for the respiratory virus in the UK have been given the all-clear. Public Health England warns that it is “highly likely” cases will be seen in this country.

In China, there have been 26 deaths. More than 900 cases have been confirmed around the world, including a small number in Thailand, Japan, South Korea, Taiwan, Vietnam, Singapore, France and the US.