Gemma Collins urges fans to 'wash their hands' amid coronavirus

‘We can’t let the economy crash’: Gemma Collins issues coronavirus advice as she knocks back champagne on a Gucci shopping spree

  • Coronavirus symptoms: what are they and should you see a doctor?

Gemma Collins proved that she wasn’t going to let the coronavirus stop her having fun on Wednesday, as she took to Instagram during a shopping trip in London.

The TOWIE star, 39, shared a video urging fans to ‘keep washing their hands,’ as she insisted the ‘economy can’t crash,’ despite the virus outbreak.

Gemma looked sensational in a sparkling black wrap dress as she enjoyed an evening of shopping at the Gucci boutique in London’s West End.

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Keep calm and carry on! Gemma Collins proved that she wasn’t going to let the coronavirus stop her having fun on Wednesday, as she urged fans to ‘keep washing their hands’

Gemma cut a glamorous figure in a sparkling black wrap dress as she enjoyed a night of shopping with pals in London.

The star shared a video pleading with fans to go about their daily business, as the shops are continually deserted amid fears around the coronavirus. 

She said: ‘Right guys I’ve taken to Instagram I’m in West End, it’s dead. 

‘I’m urging everybody to keep calm and carry on, let’s get back in the shops let’s get every back living their daily lives. Everything’s grinding to a halt and I’m feeling a little bit concerned.’ [sic]

Fun: The star dazzled in a sparkling black wrap dress as she sipped champagne during her visit to the Gucci boutique in London’s West End

Determined: Gemma shared several videos on Instagram pleading with her fans to stay positive in the midst of the virus outbreak


Soldier through: The star took to Instagram in the middle of an empty shopping centre to plead to fans that they couldn’t let the economy crash due to the virus outbreak

Protected: During her visit to the Gucci boutique, Gemma ensured that she was guarded from the virus by sanitising her hands

Jovial: The star knocked back the champagne during her retail therapy, after dazzling in her black dress at the Prince’s Trust Awards earlier in the evening

Hey big spender: Gemma appeared to treat herself to some new accessories as she chatted to a staff member inside the boutique

For 20 seconds: The star slowly rubbed the sanitiser into her hands as she chatted to her male pal on the outing

In the caption Gemma also wrote: ‘We must keep POSITIVE. We must keep going we can’t let the economy crash because of a virus.

‘We must be strong and carry on!!! Wash your hands and carry on! Let’s keep living.’

During her trip to the Gucci boutique, Gemma continued to ensure that she was keeping herself protected as a member of staff offered some hand sanitiser.

Important: In her PSA to fans, Gemma wrote: ‘I’m urging everybody to keep calm and carry on, let’s get back in the shops let’s get every back living their daily lives’

Splashing the cash: No stranger to lavish purchase, Gemma certainly seemed to be enjoying herself as she visited the Gucci boutique

Cleaned up: Gemma and her pal were offered sanitiser by staff inside the shop as they treated themselves to some lavish new purchases

The star continued to sip champagne as she joined several pals in the designer shop, and continued to ensure that she was the centre of attention in a sparkling black v-neck gown.

Earlier in the day Gemma made a stylish arrival at the Prince’s Trust Awards in her black gown, though did suffer a slight wardrobe malfunction as she exposed a tear in the dress’ skirt.

The GC wore her blonde bob in a sleek, straight style, which was turned under at the ends for a glamorous effect. 

On Thursday the number of coronavirus cases in the UK soared to 460, with eight deaths confirmed so far.

Gorgeous: Gemma wore her blonde bob in a sleek, straight style, which was turned under at the ends for a glamorous effect

Transformed: The star also displayed the results of her recently weight loss, after confirming at the start of 2020 that she was embarking on ‘a healthy, meat-free year’

Gemma recently announced she was embarking on ‘a healthy, meat-free year.’

The star shared a video of her pal cooking dinner while talking through the vegan-friendly ingredients including tofu, pesto and Brussels sprouts.

Gemma previously admitted that she would be using her £250 SkinnyJab injections to kick start her diet after claiming they helped curb her appetite. 

Slimmed down: Gemma previously admitted that she would be using her £250 SkinnyJab injections to kick start her diet after claiming they helped curb her appetite

Everything you need to know about coronavirus

By Natalie Rahhal, Acting US Health Editor for DailyMail.com  

HOW DANGEROUS IS CORONAVIRUS?

About 14 percent of people who contract the Covid-19 coronavirus are taken to hospital – with severe symptoms including breathing problems and pneumonia. About 5 per cent need intensive care.

But the majority who get the virus suffer nothing more than a cough and may never know they are infected.

So far, some 51,000 people around the world have already recovered from coronavirus – and that just includes the numbers who received a diagnosis. 

HOW MANY PEOPLE DIE?

Officially, the death rate so far has been just over three percent. But experts believe the true mortality rate is probably between one and two percent. This is because most mild cases have not been picked up by doctors or reflected in the official numbers – so the death rate is inflated. 

HOW DOES THIS COMPARE WITH OTHER DISEASES?

Seasonal flu kills roughly 0.1 percent of people. So Covid-19 is between 10 and 20 times more fatal.

But it is far less dangerous than SARS – the virus that ripped across China in 2003 – which killed 10 percent of patients.

BUT DOESN’T CORONAVIRUS SPREAD MORE EASILY?

Yes, but not dramatically. The best estimates suggest every person with Covid-19 passes it on to 2.6 people, on average. For flu that number is 1.5. 

CAN IT BE SPREAD WITHOUT SYMPTOMS?

Initially scientists feared carriers who had no symptoms could pass it on. That is now in doubt.

What is likely, however, is those who have mild symptoms are putting it down to a cold and going about their normal lives – which puts others at risk.

HOW LONG IS IT BEFORE SYMPTOMS APPEAR?

Again, unclear. Initially scientists said this could take up to two weeks.

But recent evidence suggests the incubation period could be as long as a month – particularly among children.

The average, however, is much shorter. A Chinese study said the average period of symptom onset was 5.4 days for adults and 6.5 for children. 

WHO IS AT RISK?

The virus can affect anyone – with a study of the first 41 infected people revealing two thirds did not suffer from any pre-existing condition. But the middle-aged are most likely to get it – 78 percent of those infected in China have been aged 30 to 69.

WHAT ABOUT THE OLD?

Only 3 percent of people infected so far have been over 80 – but if they get it they are more vulnerable. Analysis of 72,000 cases in China suggests for over-80s the death rate is 15 percent. For those in their 70s the death rate is 8 percent and for those in their 60s, 4 percent.

WHO ELSE IS VULNERABLE?

Those with other conditions – such as diabetes, heart disease, high blood pressure and kidney problems – are likely to suffer severe complications if they become infected.

WHAT ABOUT CHILDREN?

Children seem to be low-risk. Less than 1 percent of the Chinese cases have been under the age of ten – and if children do get the virus it’s often a mild form.

They do, however, retain the virus for longer than adults.

A study last week found the virus was still present in the stools of some children for a month after they contracted it.

DOES GENDER MATTER?

Men are marginally more likely to get the virus than women. It is not clear why this is.

HOW DO DOCTORS TEST FOR COVID-19?

Anyone who has symptoms –particularly if they have travelled to an at-risk area – are told to call ahead to their health care provider, local emergency department or clinics.

This way, health care providers can be prepared, wearing masks, gloves and other personal protective equipment when they meet the possible patient and escort them to isolated areas of the facility.

They are tested using a cheek swab which is sent off for analysis at one of 12 Public Health England labs, a process that takes between 24 and 48 hours. Any positive test is double-checked at the main PHE lab in Colindale.

WHAT TREATMENT DO PATIENTS GET?

There is little doctors can do to tackle the virus, but they can treat the symptoms – such as fever and respiratory problems. Antivirals and antibiotics are also used, mainly to keep secondary problems at bay.

In the most serious cases patients are put on life-support equipment.

There are several clinical trials for potential coronavirus treatments ongoing worldwide, including one in Nebraska, where at least 13 patients are in quarantine, including two in biocontainment units. 

WHAT ABOUT A VACCINE?

Even though the Wuhan virus appeared only a few weeks ago, 20 teams around the world are already manufacturing vaccines.

Chinese authorities provided the DNA code for the virus early on in the outbreak, enabling scientists to get to work straight away.

At least 30 companies and research institutions in the US are racing to make a vaccine.

Last week, one of these companies, Moderna, shipped its candidate vaccine to the US, signalling the shot was ready to begin clinical trials.

Even so, US health authorities say it will likely be upwards of a year before a vaccine is actually ready.

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