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Coronavirus: How is the UK planning for an outbreak? Coronavirus: How is the UK planning for an outbreak?
(32 minutes later)
Coronavirus has been seen in more than 50 countries, including the UK.Coronavirus has been seen in more than 50 countries, including the UK.
What are the government's plans for a major outbreak and how prepared is the NHS?What are the government's plans for a major outbreak and how prepared is the NHS?
Can coronavirus be contained?Can coronavirus be contained?
The government says the UK is prepared for all eventualities and is working on containing any outbreaks.The government says the UK is prepared for all eventualities and is working on containing any outbreaks.
That involves spotting cases quickly, isolating them and identifying contacts people have had to stop any spread. This is being done by Public Health England's (PHE) nine regional teams. Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland have their own arrangements.That involves spotting cases quickly, isolating them and identifying contacts people have had to stop any spread. This is being done by Public Health England's (PHE) nine regional teams. Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland have their own arrangements.
So far it has worked well. As of Friday, there have been 19 cases - all involving infection abroad.So far it has worked well. As of Friday, there have been 19 cases - all involving infection abroad.
There has been no transmission within the UK, but even if there is, that does not mean containment is defeated. If the authorities can chase the links in the transmission chain, they have a good chance of stopping its spread.There has been no transmission within the UK, but even if there is, that does not mean containment is defeated. If the authorities can chase the links in the transmission chain, they have a good chance of stopping its spread.
What if containment fails?What if containment fails?
Even if it fails, containment will have bought the UK valuable time.Even if it fails, containment will have bought the UK valuable time.
Scientists will be closer to developing a vaccine and if containment lasts until spring or summer, the milder weather will help.Scientists will be closer to developing a vaccine and if containment lasts until spring or summer, the milder weather will help.
Delaying an epidemic until the summer would have the added benefit that the under-pressure NHS would not be under so much pressure to cope.Delaying an epidemic until the summer would have the added benefit that the under-pressure NHS would not be under so much pressure to cope.
What are the symptoms?What are the symptoms?
It seems to start with a fever, followed by a dry cough.It seems to start with a fever, followed by a dry cough.
After a week, it leads to shortness of breath and some patients require hospital treatment.After a week, it leads to shortness of breath and some patients require hospital treatment.
How can I protect myself?How can I protect myself?
The World Health Organization says: The NHS has issued some practical advice:
Is the NHS ready?Is the NHS ready?
The NHS has detailed plans to cope with outbreaks of disease and surges in demand.The NHS has detailed plans to cope with outbreaks of disease and surges in demand.
They include:They include:
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 with breathing - is available at a small number of units to support the most severely ill patients if their lungs fail.Specialist equipment called ECMO - which helps with breathing - is available at a small number of units to support the most severely ill patients if their lungs fail.
As well as looking for a vaccine, researchers are exploring whether existing treatments for other conditions, such as malaria and HIV, can be used to help coronavirus patients.As well as looking for a vaccine, researchers are exploring whether existing treatments for other conditions, such as malaria and HIV, can be used to help coronavirus patients.
What if there are mass outbreaks?What if there are mass outbreaks?
In the worst-case scenario of widespread transmission in the UK - an epidemic - hospitals could start cancelling routine treatments to prioritise coronavirus patients.In the worst-case scenario of widespread transmission in the UK - an epidemic - hospitals could start cancelling routine treatments to prioritise coronavirus patients.
Assessments will be made about which patients can be advised to stay at home and isolate themselves. The illness for many seems to be mild and passes.Assessments will be made about which patients can be advised to stay at home and isolate themselves. The illness for many seems to be mild and passes.
PHE has already announced wider surveillance to see if coronavirus is spreading undetected. Eight hospitals and 100 GP surgeries are testing patients with flu-like illness and respiratory problems.PHE has already announced wider surveillance to see if coronavirus is spreading undetected. Eight hospitals and 100 GP surgeries are testing patients with flu-like illness and respiratory problems.
Could schools be closed?Could schools be closed?
Under the Civil Contingencies Act, the government can close schools, shut down public transport and stop mass gatherings to protect the public.Under the Civil Contingencies Act, the government can close schools, shut down public transport and stop mass gatherings to protect the public.
England's chief medical officer, Prof Chris Whitty, said on Thursday that if those measures were needed it would have to be "for quite a long period of time, probably more than two months".England's chief medical officer, Prof Chris Whitty, said on Thursday that if those measures were needed it would have to be "for quite a long period of time, probably more than two months".
However, evidence suggests those measures are not particularly effective at stopping the spread of something like coronavirus. And the balance between public safety and economic and social impacts would be considered.However, evidence suggests those measures are not particularly effective at stopping the spread of something like coronavirus. And the balance between public safety and economic and social impacts would be considered.
New legal powers have been passed, to force people to stay in quarantine. But this is a measure more about containment than a practical step that will be taken in the event of the virus becoming an epidemic in the UK.New legal powers have been passed, to force people to stay in quarantine. But this is a measure more about containment than a practical step that will be taken in the event of the virus becoming an epidemic in the UK.
The government and NHS simply do not have the facilities to contain many more than a few hundred people.The government and NHS simply do not have the facilities to contain many more than a few hundred people.
In the event of mass transmissions, responses will be co-ordinated by the government's Cobra committee and 43 local "resilience forums" in England and Wales.In the event of mass transmissions, responses will be co-ordinated by the government's Cobra committee and 43 local "resilience forums" in England and Wales.
These include PHE officials, the NHS, local councils and the emergency services. Northern Ireland and Scotland have their own arrangements, although they do liaise closely with England.These include PHE officials, the NHS, local councils and the emergency services. Northern Ireland and Scotland have their own arrangements, although they do liaise closely with England.
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: