This article is from the source 'bbc' and was first published or seen on . It last changed over 40 days ago and won't be checked again for changes.

You can find the current article at its original source at https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/explainers-51632801

The article has changed 37 times. There is an RSS feed of changes available.

Version 24 Version 25
Coronavirus: What is the 'delay' stage of the UK's plans? Coronavirus: What is the 'delay' stage of the UK's plans?
(32 minutes later)
Coronavirus is spreading in the UK and a major epidemic is expected.Coronavirus is spreading in the UK and a major epidemic is expected.
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?
The UK government is attempting to delay the spread of coronavirus and reduce the epidemic's peak (when the number of cases is highest).The UK government is attempting to delay the spread of coronavirus and reduce the epidemic's peak (when the number of cases is highest).
It says that from Friday:It says that from Friday:
Further measures will be taken as the number of coronavirus infections moves towards its peak:Further measures will be taken as the number of coronavirus infections moves towards its peak:
It is hoped these steps could significantly reduce the number of infections and cut deaths by up to a third.It is hoped these steps could significantly reduce the number of infections and cut deaths by up to a third.
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.
And officials in the UK have concerns about how effective they will be.And officials in the UK have concerns about how effective they will be.
For example, while school closures could reduce the peak, forcing parents to stay at home would be a problem. It could reduce the number of health workers available, or mean grandparents - one of the at-risk groups - stepping in.For example, while school closures could reduce the peak, forcing parents to stay at home would be a problem. It could reduce the number of health workers available, or mean grandparents - one of the at-risk groups - stepping in.
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 be 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 if need be.
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. But people are being advised not to ring NHS 111 to report their symptoms unless they are worried.
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 more than 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 could also help in other ways.
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 may 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. There could also be progress in treating the illness caused by the virus.
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. Currently doctors can only relieve the symptoms.
But getting the balance right is difficult. But drugs including those used to treat malaria and HIV are being tested, while researchers are working hard to develop a vaccine.
If the measures taken reduce the coronavirus peak too much, a second wave could come as soon as you relax them. Combined, all that should reduce the number infected and save lives.
But if the measures taken reduce cases too much, there is always the risk a second wave could hit as soon as you relax them.
If that happened next winter, it could cause real problems.If that happened next winter, it could cause real problems.
But manage it right and - in theory - we will be in a much better position to deal with the virus than we are in 2020. Getting the balance right is, it's fair to say, going to be very difficult.
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: