AN MP has reminded people of the simple steps they can take to protect against catching the Coronavirus amid some people avoiding restaurants and public transport.

Peter Kyle, the Labour MP for Hove, said he has been contacted by residents who are fearful of where they can go and wants them to remember how they can protect themselves.

He said: “It’s about taking the simple steps that people can use. And that’s the important thing to remember.

“I’m making sure that I use a tissue if I sneeze and then throw it away and wash my hands.

“And I’m aware if I am near anybody who sneezes.”

This follows the confirmation yesterday that a Brighton man had contracted the illness.

At present some people are taking steps that have not been deemed necessary by health officials. Some are avoiding public transport or even airports as they are afraid of catching the virus. There are also those who are not using Chinese restaurants. But there has been no advice which deems these steps to be necessary.

The latest case is the third confirmed in the UK.

Following this, the UK chief medical officers raised the risk to the public from low to moderate.

An NHS spokesman reassured residents that "the risk to individuals remains low" and "health professionals are working to contact anyone who has been in close contact with people who have coronavirus".

But he added: "Because it's a new illness, we do not know exactly how coronavirus spreads from person to person, but similar viruses spread by cough droplets.

"...There is no specific treatment for coronavirus.

"Treatment aims to relieve the symptoms."

The symptoms of coronavirus are a cough, a high temperature and feeling short of breath.

An NHS spokesman said: "There are things you can do to help stop germs like coronavirus spreading.

"Always carry tissues with you and use them to catch your cough or sneeze. Then bin the tissue, and wash your hands, or use a sanitiser gel.

"Wash your hands often with soap and water, especially after using public transport. Use a sanitiser gel if soap and water are not available.

"Avoid touching your eyes, nose and mouth with unwashed hands.

"Avoid close contact with people who are unwell."

Based on current evidence, novel coronavirus (2019-nCov) presents with flu-like symptoms including a fever, a cough, or difficulty breathing. The current evidence is that most cases appear to be mild. Those who have died in Wuhan appear to have had pre-existing health conditions.

The World Health Organisation warns that people should practice good hygiene.

This includes covering our mouths when we cough or sneeze as this is how the virus can be caught.

But you would need to be within four metres of somebody who sneezes as that is how far a sneeze can propel droplets of the virus.