How is the UK preparing for coronavirus and what is the delay phase?

Coronavirus: the symptoms
British Prime Minister Boris Johnson
PA
Kit Heren12 March 2020

Prime Minister Boris Johnson called coronavirus "the worst public health crisis in a generation" as the government moved into the delay phase of its strategy to combat the virus.

Mr Johnson said on Thursday that Brits with symptoms should at home for seven days. Other measures the Government is taking include a ban on all school trips abroad and advice that people with pre-existing health conditions avoid cruises.

Confirmed cases of coronavirus in the UK neared 600 on Thursday, with ten deaths. But there may be as many as 10,000 unconfirmed cases in the the country , according to chief scientific advisor Sir Patrick Vallance.

Countries that have been most affected by coronavirus, like China - where the virus originated in late 2019 - and Italy, have already taken extreme measures to contain the spread of the virus. Italy has extended its coronavirus lockdown measures to the entire country, while China has also put travel restrictions on several cities.

But with infections worldwide at nearly 130,000, what is the UK doing to combat the spread of coronavirus?

Prime Minister Boris Johnson
Sky News

What is the Government's plan for coronavirus?

The Government has outlined four phases in its coronavirus plan: contain, delay, research and mitigate.

Contain aimed to stop the spread of the disease entirely by finding people with coronavirus and taking them to a specialist treatment centre.

Anyone who has made contact with someone with coronavirus should also be tested.

The ‘research’ phase runs alongside this. The government has put aside £40 million for research into a possible vaccine and other drugs that could help our bodies fight the disease.

But chief medical officer Chris Whitty has said a vaccine may be a year away.

Following this, mitigate will come in if coronavirus is too widespread to be slowed.

This phase will see some of the most extreme measures.

The army may be asked to keep order on the streets, hospitals could cancel non-essential operations and police may not respond to some calls.

Prime Minister Boris Johnson held a special meeting on Thursday, deciding to move into the delay phase.

What is the delay phase?

This is the second stage of the Government’s coronavirus plan, which aims to slow the spread of the virus.

In the delay phase, everyone who displays coronavirus symptoms is asked to stay at home for seven days.

The Government was considering banning all major sporting events and although the Government is not yet telling schools to close down, it is keeping this under review.

School trips abroad have been cancelled as of Friday. People with existing health conditions have been told not to go on cruises.

A man wears a face mask on a bus
PA

Speaking directly to especially vulnerable people, the Prime Minister said after the meeting on Thursday: "We will all we can to help you and your family throughout this period."

Mr Johnson also asked people who thought they might have coronavirus not to ring the NHS 111 number and to use the internet instead.

The Prime Minister and Mr Whitty faced tough questioning on Thursday over whether the measures the UK is taking are drastic enough, given the quarantines in place in countries like Italy and China.

But they defended the Government's stance, saying it was backed up by "the very best scientific advice".

The delay phase is an attempt to push back the virus' peak in the UK.

This is because the NHS does not have enough beds for tens of thousands of critically ill people at the same time.

And if the Government can delay the peak of coronavirus in the UK until the summer, there may be more room in hospitals for infected people.

Coronavirus may also spread less quickly in warmer weather.

Prime Minister Boris Johnson (via Getty Images)
POOL/AFP via Getty Images

What are the symptoms of coronavirus?

Symptoms include a high temperature, a new and continuous cough.

Some people develop shortness of breath, which can mean they need treatment in a hospital.

In the most extreme cases, coronavirus can cause more serious conditions like pneumonia and can lead to death.

Older people and those with underlying conditions such as asthma or heart disease are more at risk.

Coronavirus - In pictures

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What measures can you take to protect yourself?

Washing your hands thoroughly and regularly is the best way to protect yourself and others.

If you need to cough or sneeze, do it into a tissue and throw it away, and try not to touch your face.

What is self-isolation?

If you are in the UK and you have a temperature or a new and continuous cough, stay at home for seven days. Do not go to a hospital or your GP.

You should stay in a well-ventilated room with a window, away from anyone you may live with.

This includes using a separate bathroom from people you share accommodation with if possible.

Any shared spaces, like kitchens or bathrooms, should be cleaned thoroughly every time the person in self-isolation uses it.

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