THE UK Government's chief scientific adviser has warned millions of people in the UK will need to contract the coronavirus in order to control the impact of the illness which may return "year on year".
Sir Patrick Vallance said about 60% of the population will need to catch the virus in order for the public to gain "herd immunity" in future coronavirus outbreaks.
So far 10 people in the UK have died after contracting Covid-19, and the official number of cases here stands at 590 - but Vallance belives the actual number of cases could be between 5000 and 10,000.
READ MORE: Coronavirus in Scotland LIVE: 60 confirmed COVID-19 cases in Scotland
The chief scientific adviser stressed most people who contract Covid-19 will only experience a "mild" disease.
"We think this virus is likely to be one that comes year on year, becomes like a seasonal virus," he said.
"Communities will become immune to it and that's going to be an important part of controlling this longer term.
"About 60% is the sort of figure you need to get herd immunity."
Yesterday First Minister Nicola Sturgeon confirmed the UK had left the containment stage of tackling the outbreak, and entered the delay stage.
Anyone with a high temperature or persistent cough should now self-isolate for seven days while school trips abroad have been called off.
In Scotland alone, mass gatherings of more than 500 people will be cancelled as of Monday in an effort to protect frontline services.
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