Cryptic crossword clue
Temporary setback in hotel, the first caught by evidence of virus 8

The most common and most likely answer to this crossword clue is the 8 letter word HICCOUGH

I've seen this crossword clue in Financial Times
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Buddy explains!

The straight part
We know that "Temporary setback" is the straight/definition part of the clue. The straight part is often a synonym or definition, in this case temporary setback = hiccough.
The cryptic/wordplay part
In cryptic crossword there's often an wordplay/cryptic part as well.
This part involves a more complex hint, such as an anagram, homophone, hidden word, etc.
Sadly, We don't have an explanation for this specific crossword clue yet.

What does HICCOUGH mean?

HICCOUGH noun
  1. A spasm of the diaphragm, or the resulting sound.
  2. (by extension) Any spasm or sudden change.
  3. A minor setback.
HICCOUGH verb
  1. To produce a hiccup; have the hiccups.
  2. To say with a hiccup.
  3. To produce an abortive sound like a hiccup.

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