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 27 Version 28
Coronavirus: What is the 'delay' stage of the UK's plans? Coronavirus: What is UK advice?
(1 day 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's aim is to delay the spread of the disease and reduce the epidemic's peak (when the number of cases is highest).
It says that from Friday: Some measures are already in place, but the government - taking advice from its chief medical and scientific advisers - is thinking about what comes next.
Further measures will be taken as the number of coronavirus infections moves towards its peak: Currently:
In the next stage:
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. The UK government is now going to give a daily briefing on its plans.
And officials in the UK have concerns about how effective they will be. Scotland, Northern Ireland and Wales have the power to make some of their own decisions.
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, Scotland has issued official advice to cancel gatherings of more than 500 people. Northern Ireland has said that when schools will close it will be for at least 16 weeks.
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 major underlying health conditions.
There are 30 hospitals on stand-by to take patients, but all of the NHS is on an emergency footing. Thirty hospitals are on stand-by for patients, but the whole 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 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 if need be.Patients with mild symptoms are being asked to self-isolate at home. Community teams will keep an eye on them if need be.
But people are being advised not to ring NHS 111 to report their symptoms unless they are worried.But people are being advised not to ring NHS 111 to report their symptoms unless they are worried.
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 ECMO breathing equipment is at five units for patients whose lungs fail.
The government wants to get more ventilators into the health system and is working with suppliers in the UK and abroad to increase the supply. It will also ask British manufacturers to help produce more ventilators in the UK "at speed". The government says it wants to make thousands more ventilators - which help people breathe - available to the NHS.
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 more than 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 could also help in other ways. There would be less pressure on the NHS by delaying the peak to the summer when the rate of transmission may be lower.
The rate of transmission may be lower in summer as more people will be outdoors. Drugs including those to treat malaria and HIV are being tested, while work is ongoing to develop a vaccine.
There could also be progress in treating the illness caused by the virus. But if cases are reduced too much, there is the risk a second wave could hit next winter.
Drugs including those used to treat malaria and HIV are being tested, while researchers are working hard to develop a vaccine. However, some experts disagree with the government's strategy.
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.
Getting the balance right is, it's fair to say, going to be very difficult.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: