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Coronavirus: Is the UK ready for a major outbreak? Coronavirus: Is the UK ready for a major outbreak?
(32 minutes later)
A major coronavirus epidemic is expected in the UK.A major coronavirus epidemic is expected in the UK.
A worst case scenario could see 80% of people infected if nothing is done.A worst case scenario could see 80% of people infected if nothing is done.
What is the UK now doing about coronavirus?What is the UK now doing about coronavirus?
Advice for the elderly and those with existing health conditions is likely to be the UK's next step. These groups are most at risk of becoming severely ill.Advice for the elderly and those with existing health conditions is likely to be the UK's next step. These groups are most at risk of becoming severely ill.
Others may be asked to work from home, stagger their commute, and think about how they socialise. There is a lower risk of passing on the virus when meeting outside than inside.Others may be asked to work from home, stagger their commute, and think about how they socialise. There is a lower risk of passing on the virus when meeting outside than inside.
Measures like these are expected as the government moves from trying to contain the disease to delaying its spread. Its four-point plan also includes reducing the severity of the outbreak (mitigate) and ongoing research.Measures like these are expected as the government moves from trying to contain the disease to delaying its spread. Its four-point plan also includes reducing the severity of the outbreak (mitigate) and ongoing research.
People in contact with those known to have coronavirus have already been identified and told to stay away from other people (self-isolate) in case symptoms develop.People in contact with those known to have coronavirus have already been identified and told to stay away from other people (self-isolate) in case symptoms develop.
From the end of March health experts are likely to start advising people with mild cold and flu-like symptoms to assume they may have coronavirus and self-isolate. At the moment any illness is more likely to be a winter bug.From the end of March health experts are likely to start advising people with mild cold and flu-like symptoms to assume they may have coronavirus and self-isolate. At the moment any illness is more likely to be a winter bug.
The aim is to stop coronavirus spreading and then, if it does, to push the time most cases appear back to summer. This would mean less pressure on health services.The aim is to stop coronavirus spreading and then, if it does, to push the time most cases appear back to summer. This would mean less pressure on health services.
Could schools close and public gatherings be banned?Could schools close and public gatherings be banned?
The government has other powers it could use to protect people from infection:The government has other powers it could use to protect people from infection:
Some other countries like Italy have already taken some of these measures, but they tend to have more cases.Some other countries like Italy have already taken some of these measures, but they tend to have more cases.
How is the UK deciding what to do?How is the UK deciding what to do?
Steps like closing schools would have big consequences, so ministers have stressed the need not to over-react.Steps like closing schools would have big consequences, so ministers have stressed the need not to over-react.
It is also difficult to know how effective measures like stopping large groups meeting would be. For example, if you stop people attending football matches they might just meet in pubs, where the risk of infection would be similar.It is also difficult to know how effective measures like stopping large groups meeting would be. For example, if you stop people attending football matches they might just meet in pubs, where the risk of infection would be similar.
The most drastic measures therefore look likely to be kept until the moment the most cases are expected.The most drastic measures therefore look likely to be kept until the moment the most cases are expected.
Is the NHS ready for coronavirus?Is the NHS ready for coronavirus?
Up to one in five UK workers could be off sick during a major outbreak, the government says.Up to one in five UK workers could be off sick during a major outbreak, the government says.
It thinks there could more deaths, especially among elderly people and those with health conditions like heart or lung problems and diabetes. It thinks there could be more deaths, especially among elderly people and those with health conditions like heart or lung problems and diabetes.
There are 30 hospitals on stand-by to take patients, but all of the NHS is on an emergency footing.There are 30 hospitals on stand-by to take patients, but all of the NHS is on an emergency footing.
Hospitals have plans to keep coronavirus patients separate and supply staff with protective masks and suits.Hospitals have plans to keep coronavirus patients separate and supply staff with protective masks and suits.
All hospital patients with flu-like symptoms are being tested.All hospital patients with flu-like symptoms are being tested.
If someone tests positive, they may be moved to one of the main hospitals, if that's best for them.If someone tests positive, they may be moved to one of the main hospitals, if that's best for them.
Patients with mild symptoms are being asked to self-isolate at home. Community teams will keep an eye on them.Patients with mild symptoms are being asked to self-isolate at home. Community teams will keep an eye on them.
In England and Wales, people who think they may have coronavirus need to call the NHS 111 phone service for further advice. They should not go to their GP, or A&E.In England and Wales, people who think they may have coronavirus need to call the NHS 111 phone service for further advice. They should not go to their GP, or A&E.
In Scotland, check NHS inform, then ring your GP in office hours, or 111 out-of-hours. In Northern Ireland, call your GP.In Scotland, check NHS inform, then ring your GP in office hours, or 111 out-of-hours. In Northern Ireland, call your GP.
How will the NHS treat seriously ill patients?How will the NHS treat seriously ill patients?
Currently there is no treatment or cure, so hospitals are trying to relieve the symptoms.Currently there is no treatment or cure, so hospitals are trying to relieve the symptoms.
Specialist equipment called ECMO - which helps breathing - is at five units for patients whose lungs fail.Specialist equipment called ECMO - which helps breathing - is at five units for patients whose lungs fail.
If there is widespread transmission, hospitals could start cancelling routine treatments to prioritise coronavirus patients.If there is widespread transmission, hospitals could start cancelling routine treatments to prioritise coronavirus patients.
It is estimated one in 20 patients may become critically ill, which could overwhelm the NHS. There are just over 4,000 intensive care beds, which can be increased. By how much is not clear.It is estimated one in 20 patients may become critically ill, which could overwhelm the NHS. There are just over 4,000 intensive care beds, which can be increased. By how much is not clear.
Doctors warn some difficult decisions may need to be made about which patients get treatment.Doctors warn some difficult decisions may need to be made about which patients get treatment.
What is the UK hoping to achieve?What is the UK hoping to achieve?
Apart from putting less pressure on the NHS, delaying the peak to the summer would allow more time to find a coronavirus treatment.Apart from putting less pressure on the NHS, delaying the peak to the summer would allow more time to find a coronavirus treatment.
Drugs including those used to treat malaria and HIV are being tested, while researchers are working hard to develop a vaccine.Drugs including those used to treat malaria and HIV are being tested, while researchers are working hard to develop a vaccine.
The rate of transmission could also be lower in summer as more people will be outdoors.The rate of transmission could also be lower in summer as more people will be outdoors.
If that happens, the hope is that about one in five people could be infected - far below the worst case scenario of four out of five.If that happens, the hope is that about one in five people could be infected - far below the worst case scenario of four out of five.
What questions do you have about the UK's coronavirus plans?What questions do you have about the UK's coronavirus plans?
In some cases your question will be published, displaying your name, age and location as you provide it, unless you state otherwise. Your contact details will never be published. Please ensure you have read our terms & conditions and privacy policy.In some cases your question will be published, displaying your name, age and location as you provide it, unless you state otherwise. Your contact details will never be published. Please ensure you have read our terms & conditions and privacy policy.
Use this form to ask your question:Use this form to ask your question: