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Understanding the new coronavirus

Analysis of the impact of the new virus.

Parts of China are on lockdown, a small number of cases have been reported in other countries and the past week has brought widely conflicting views on the potential danger presented by the new virus.
We look at the scientific facts, analyse why it’s so difficult to predict the spread of the virus, look at the nature of virus infection and discuss why treatments such as vaccines are not available.
We look at why some viruses can jump from animals to humans and examine hi-tech solutions designed to speed up the process of drug development.

Image: Medical staff member helps a couple at a hospital in Wuhan. Credit: Feature China/Barcroft Media via Getty Images)

Presenter: Roland Pease
Producer: Julian Siddle

Available now

34 minutes

Last on

Mon 3 Feb 2020 01:32GMT

Broadcasts

  • Thu 30 Jan 2020 20:32GMT
  • Thu 30 Jan 2020 21:32GMT
  • Fri 31 Jan 2020 05:32GMT
  • Fri 31 Jan 2020 06:32GMT
  • Fri 31 Jan 2020 07:32GMT
  • Fri 31 Jan 2020 11:32GMT
  • Fri 31 Jan 2020 14:32GMT
  • Fri 31 Jan 2020 18:32GMT
  • Fri 31 Jan 2020 23:32GMT
  • Sun 2 Feb 2020 12:32GMT
  • Mon 3 Feb 2020 01:32GMT

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