Coronavirus spread so quickly with government fearing 1 in 1,000 Brits already infected

Scientists claim around 86% of those infected with coronavirus go undetected because their symptoms are too weak.

A new study from Columbia University in New York analysed the deadly disease's spread before it went beyond its origins in China, finding that thousands of confirmed cases propelled the initial crisis leading to the country going into lockdown.

This comes as the Government's chief scientific adviser estimated around 70,000 Brits could have the highly contagious virus without realising.

Sir Patrick Vallance has said for every one of the 71 Covid-19 deaths so far in the UK there could potentially be a further 1,000 more cases, reports the Daily Mail.

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Sir Patrick Vallance believes 70,000 people could have the virus in Britain (Barcroft Media via Getty Images)

The Government has been accused of attempting to mask the true figure of infected citizens, with health bosses only allowing those with the most severe symptoms to be given tests.

Official figures show almost 2,000 confirmed cases but the World Health Organisation has warned the crisis will not be brought under control unless efforts are made to find every person infected.

According to reports, the NHS has the capacity to test 10,000 people every day.

Mike Pence has given the OK for two commercial tests (AFP via Getty Images)

Public Health England are said to be reviewing several commercial test kits (REUTERS)

US Vice President Mike Pence, meanwhile, gave the OK for the emergency use of two commercial diagnostic tools - one of which can give results in four hours - as they scramble to get a grip on the situation across the Atlantic.

UK health chiefs are yet to confirm whether such kits are to be used on Brits, though according to reports Public Health England are assessing the effectiveness of privately sold testing kits.

The NHS has previously admitted it is using much slower testing which can take up to three days for results.

Furious Dr Hilary slams 'disgusting scum' private companies selling testing kits

People are preparing to somewhat self-isolate and work from home in the UK (REUTERS)

Two men were pictured outside Downing Street carrying a parcel from ThermoFisher - the manufacturer of the four-hour test being used in the US.

It is understood health chiefs have already spent £3.7million ordering thousands of kits from UK-based Novacyt and chief medical officer Chris Whitty said a unique blood test to identify who has recovered the disease is being worked on.

Local hospitals are now being given kits to conduct tests on-site to prevent having to send samples off, which has cut down on processing time.