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Coronavirus: What is the UK advice? Coronavirus: What next in the UK coronavirus fight?
(about 16 hours later)
Coronavirus is spreading in the UK and a major epidemic is expected. Coronavirus is spreading in the UK and the government is seeking ways to minimise its spread.
A worst case scenario could see 80% of people infected if nothing is done. A worst-case scenario, if nothing is done, could see 80% of people infected.
What is the UK now doing about coronavirus? So what is the UK doing about coronavirus?
On Monday, Prime Minster Boris Johnson announced significant new measures: The government's strategy has been changing quickly over recent weeks.
The government says its previous advice also remains, everyone should regularly wash their hands and avoid contacting the NHS unless it's essential. It started off trying to contain the outbreaks by isolating people who tested positive and asking anyone who had close contact with them to self-isolate too.
These measures, according to the government, will delay the spread of the epidemic so that the NHS can cope with demand and save lives. In early March, ministers accepted that was no longer viable so instead introduced policies to delay and reduce the peak.
Could schools close and public gatherings be banned? The idea was that by pushing the peak back to the summer it would allow the NHS to cope.
The government has other powers it could use to protect people from infection: But new modelling released by Imperial College London then prompted a change in approach.
Scotland, Northern Ireland and Wales have the power to make some of their own decisions. It warned the policy of a managed spread could still lead to more than 250,000 deaths with hospital intensive care units getting overwhelmed.
For example, Scotland has issued official advice to cancel gatherings of more than 500 people. Northern Ireland has said that when schools close it will be for at least 16 weeks. Ministers are now seeking to suppress the spread completely - hoping in the process to keep deaths below 20,000.
Is the NHS ready for coronavirus? What steps are being taken?
Up to one in five UK workers could be off sick during a major outbreak, the government says. The government is taking arguably the most drastic steps in peacetime.
It thinks there could be more deaths, especially among elderly people and those with major underlying health conditions. The public is essentially being asked to reduce social contact, with the strongest warnings for the most vulnerable.
Thirty hospitals are on stand-by for patients, but the whole NHS is on an emergency footing. Those who show symptoms, and those they live with, are being asked not to leave their homes.
The government says its previous advice also remains, which is that everyone should regularly wash their hands and avoid contacting the NHS unless it's essential.
Why are schools still open?
Schools and universities are not being asked to close.
But the evidence informing the government does acknowledge this may be necessary in the future.
There are several issues to consider.
Children are not badly affected - it is thought hardly any of those infected even develop symptoms.
There is, therefore, some debate about whether they actually play much part in spreading it.
Closing schools would mean parents having to take time off work - this is particularly pressing for health workers.
The option remains on the table with government officials suggesting it may be needed at some point.
What is going to happen next?
We are in uncharted territory - so it is impossible to tell.
The problem with trying to suppress the virus is that as soon as you lift those measures the fear is it rebounds with a vengeance.
One option put forward by experts advising the government is to go through a cycle of lifting and reapplying the brakes, using demand on intensive care as a guide.
There will be close attention paid to China which is now looking at how it lifts restrictions.
The hope is that you break the spread of transmission and the virus goes away.
But that is not considered realistic.
Then you have to consider the social and economic factors at play.
Businesses are going to struggle and people are going to lose their jobs.
And how long are the public going to put up with being told they cannot go out, need to work from home and can no longer watch sport or go to festivals?
How do you balance stopping society against saving lives? It leaves the government with some very difficult decisions to take.
What about the NHS? Can it cope?
The whole of the NHS has been put on an emergency footing. From mid-April all routine operations, such as knee and hip replacements, are being cancelled for three months.
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. If someone tests positive, they may be moved to one of the main hospitals. All hospital patients with flu-like symptoms are being tested.
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 - a high temperature or new and persistent cough - 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 ECMO breathing equipment is at five units for patients whose lungs fail.Specialist ECMO breathing equipment is at five units for patients whose lungs fail.
The government says it wants to make more ventilators - which help people breathe - available to the NHS. There are between 4,000 and 5,000 intensive care beds.
If there is widespread transmission, hospitals could start cancelling routine treatments to prioritise coronavirus patients. But NHS officials said they can effectively increase that to between 11,000 and 12,000 by using ventilators reserved for planned surgery and those available in the private sector, Ministry of Defence, new ones being made and old stocks that are no longer used.
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. Ministers are also working with private companies to ramp up production.
Doctors warn some difficult decisions may need to be made about which patients get treatment. A third of patients who need hospital care require intensive care support, evidence from China and Italy suggests.
Doctors warn that some difficult decisions may need to be made about which patients get treatment.
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: