A doctor’s union has warned that a cornonavirus epidemic in the UK will have a ‘grave impact’ on the NHS.

The British Medical Association (BMA) is urging the Government to make sure plans to protect the health service and its staff are adequately resourced and carried out in a timely fashion.

The Association has stressed that ‘all efforts at the moment must be on containment’ and that everyone has a part to play by following public health advice on hand washing and self-isolation if they have concerns.

But should Covid-19 escalate, says the BMA, the public ‘will be rightly worried about how services will cope’.

Chief officer at the BMA Dr Helena McKeown said: ‘The NHS is already under intense strain, with record numbers of people on waiting lists, people routinely treated in corridors and others waiting weeks for a GP appointment.

‘The NHS is also vastly understaffed and the suggestion of bringing back retired health workers needs serious scrutiny.’

A spokesperson for NHS Kernow said: ’Nationally and locally, the NHS and its partners are well prepared to deal with coronavirus and other similar situations.

’Our priority is to safeguard people and communities which sometimes involves taking preventative measures to help reduce the risk of further cases.

’Locally, the national recommendations to manage the situation are being put in place and people should be reassured.’

Almost 25,000 people have now been tested in the UK, and 319 positive results have come back. Three people have died from Covid-19.

Cornwall Council has today announced the fifth positive case in the county. The last two cases are linked and both had recently returned from Italy, said deputy director of Public Health for Cornwall Steve Brown.

The first two cases were also related to the outbreak in Italy, but the third case has not been referred to specifically by the local authority.

People are being reminded of Public Health England’s advice: Anyone who has been to one of the affected areas and is feeling unwell, or who knows they have had contact with a confirmed coronavirus patient, should use the NHS 111 online coronavirus service or call NHS 111 for further advice straightaway. People should not visit their GP surgery, community or main acute hospital.