The ancient Greek physician Hippocrates said in Epidemics I, written in 410 BC, “As to diseases, make a habit of two things — to help, or at least, to do no harm.”

It is a saying that is well known amongst physicians, and now more than ever, is applicable to every man, lady and child in this world.

On December 31, 2019, China alerted the World Health Organisation that there had been several cases of an unusual pneumonia occurring in Wuhan City, Hubei province. The cause, an unknown virus.

Since the events that unfolded on the eve of the new decade, this novel coronavirus, Covid-19, at the time of writing has resulted in 1,450,343 confirmed cases worldwide with 83,568 deaths.

Covid-19 remains a rapidly evolving disease. From our initial understanding of symptoms being predominantly a “fever, and/or a new continuous cough”, it is well recognised now that symptoms can also include aches and pains, nasal congestion, runny nose, sore throat and loss of smell. Most people recover from the disease without needing any special treatment. However, around one in six people with Covid-19 become seriously unwell, mainly with difficulty breathing and require emergency medical treatment.

“Prevention is better than cure”, is an ethos physicians strive to implement in medicine in modern society. We can now all play our part in preventing further spread of Covid-19 by regularly and thoroughly cleaning our hands, practicing social distancing, avoiding touching our eyes, nose and mouth, following good respiratory etiquette (covering your mouth and nose with your bent elbow or tissue when you cough or sneeze), self-isolating if necessary and continuing to stay up to date with the latest government and NHS health advice.

Our NHS is facing unprecedented demands. Heroic NHS staff battle the virus on the frontline, despite having lost colleagues and loved ones to the disease, they continue to risk their lives for the betterment of the public's health.

The Prime Minister, having overseen the strategy to fight the disease on behalf of the nation, has been in an Intensive Care Unit fighting a personal battle with the disease.

I therefore implore, stay at home, unless it is absolutely necessary to leave the house, and by doing so, implementing Hippocrates' famous teaching of “First, do no harm”.

  • Dr Jagdip Sandhu studied Medicine at Queen Mary University of London, graduating in 2010. He has been a GP since 2015 and practises in north west London