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Coronavirus: How many cases are there in your area? Coronavirus: How many cases are there in your area?
(about 13 hours later)
A total of 590 cases of the coronavirus have been confirmed in the UK, as the government moves to the next stage of its phased plan to tackle the outbreak. A total of 596 cases of the coronavirus have been confirmed in the UK, with the government now moving to the next "delay" stage in its phased plan to tackle the outbreak.
Some 29,764 people in the UK have been tested for the respiratory infection so far. Ten people who tested positive have died.Some 29,764 people in the UK have been tested for the respiratory infection so far. Ten people who tested positive have died.
Find out how many people have confirmed cases in your area:Find out how many people have confirmed cases in your area:
If you can't see the look-up click here.If you can't see the look-up click here.
This following maps, charts and graphics will help you understand the situation in the UK and how the authorities are dealing with it.This following maps, charts and graphics will help you understand the situation in the UK and how the authorities are dealing with it.
1. The number of UK cases is growing1. The number of UK cases is growing
The new coronavirus, which causes the respiratory disease known as Covid-19, was first confirmed in the UK at the end of January.The new coronavirus, which causes the respiratory disease known as Covid-19, was first confirmed in the UK at the end of January.
Since then, cases have been reported across the UK, with 130 new cases announced on Thursday.
The figures show 491 of the confirmed cases are in England, 60 are in Scotland, 20 are in Northern Ireland and 19 are in Wales.
But numbers for the UK are much lower than other European countries, such as Italy, for example, where there have been more than 12,400 confirmed cases and more than 820 deaths, according to 12 March figures from the World Health Organization.
While there were a number of people testing positive throughout February, figures in the UK began to increase significantly at the beginning of March.While there were a number of people testing positive throughout February, figures in the UK began to increase significantly at the beginning of March.
Prof Chris Whitty, the country's chief medical adviser, said he was expecting the numbers to "increase initially slowly, but really quite fast after a while, and we have to catch it before the upswing begins". Since then, cases have been reported across the UK, with 130 new cases announced on Thursday.
NHS England plans to expand the number of people it can test in a day to 10,000, up from 1,500. The figures show 491 of the confirmed cases are in England, 60 are in Scotland, 20 are in Northern Ireland and 25 are in Wales.
Globally, authorities have confirmed more than 127,700 cases of the coronavirus and more than 4,700 deaths. Confirmed case numbers for the UK are lower than other European countries, such as Italy, for example, where there have been more than 15,100 cases and more than 1,000 deaths, according to 13 March figures from the World Health Organization.
However, the government's chief scientific adviser Sir Patrick Vallance said there were probably between 5,000 and 10,000 people infected in the UK at this time.
He also said that many people will no longer be tested if they are showing mild symptoms. Only those with the most serious symptoms will be given a blood test in hospital.
England's chief medical officer, Professor Chris Whitty, said the peak of the UK outbreak is most likely still 10 to 14 weeks away.
Globally, authorities have confirmed more than 132,500 cases of the coronavirus and almost 5,000 deaths.
The vast majority of cases - more than 80,900 - are in China, where the virus originated in December.The vast majority of cases - more than 80,900 - are in China, where the virus originated in December.
2. We are in the second phase of the government's response2. We are in the second phase of the government's response
The government has published its action plan for dealing with the virus, which involves three phases - contain; delay; mitigate - alongside ongoing research.The government has published its action plan for dealing with the virus, which involves three phases - contain; delay; mitigate - alongside ongoing research.
While the emphasis has been on the contain and research phases up until now, the country has now moved to the "delay" phase to stop the wider spread of the virus, Prime Minister Boris Johnson announced on Thursday.While the emphasis has been on the contain and research phases up until now, the country has now moved to the "delay" phase to stop the wider spread of the virus, Prime Minister Boris Johnson announced on Thursday.
As part of the delay phase, people with even mild coronavirus symptoms - defined as a temperature above 37.8 C or a persistent cough - are being asked to self-isolate at home for seven days to protect others and help slow the spread of the disease. As part of the delay phase, people with even mild coronavirus symptoms - defined as a temperature above 37.8 C or a "new, continuous" cough - are being asked to self-isolate at home for seven days to protect others and help slow the spread of the disease.
From Friday, school trips abroad will be banned, and older people and those with pre-existing health conditions have been told not to go on cruises. Schools are also being advised to cancel trips abroad and people over 70 and those with pre-existing health conditions are being told not to go on cruises.
The delay phase could also mean further "social distancing" measures at a later date, but Mr Johnson ruled out closing schools at this stage.The delay phase could also mean further "social distancing" measures at a later date, but Mr Johnson ruled out closing schools at this stage.
If the virus becomes even more widespread, the government may then decide to enter the mitigation phase, when health services are asked to focus on critical care and retired NHS staff could be asked to return to work.If the virus becomes even more widespread, the government may then decide to enter the mitigation phase, when health services are asked to focus on critical care and retired NHS staff could be asked to return to work.
3. People who think they have coronavirus should contact NHS 1113. People who think they have coronavirus should contact NHS 111
If there's a chance you could have coronavirus, you are advised not to go to a GP surgery, pharmacy or hospital.If there's a chance you could have coronavirus, you are advised not to go to a GP surgery, pharmacy or hospital.
Instead, the NHS says you should contact its dedicated 111 online coronavirus service if you are in England.Instead, the NHS says you should contact its dedicated 111 online coronavirus service if you are in England.
In Scotland, you should call your GP or NHS 24 on 111 out of hours. In Wales call 111 (if available in your area) or 0845 46 47. In Northern Ireland call 111.In Scotland, you should call your GP or NHS 24 on 111 out of hours. In Wales call 111 (if available in your area) or 0845 46 47. In Northern Ireland call 111.
As a result, you may be asked to stay away from other people (self-isolate). You may also be passed on to your local health protection team for testing.As a result, you may be asked to stay away from other people (self-isolate). You may also be passed on to your local health protection team for testing.
4. Many returning travellers are being asked to stay at home4. Many returning travellers are being asked to stay at home
Many of the UK's cases have been people who recently travelled from affected countries - including Italy and France as well as China and Iran.Many of the UK's cases have been people who recently travelled from affected countries - including Italy and France as well as China and Iran.
For this reason, the UK government has issued advice for returning travellers.For this reason, the UK government has issued advice for returning travellers.
People who have travelled to the following places have been advised to stay indoors and avoid contact with other people (self-isolate) even if they don't have symptoms: People who have been to affected areas and are showing symptoms are being advised to stay indoors and avoid contact with other people (self-isolate).
In addition, travellers are being asked to stay at home if they have been to following places in the last 14 days and are showing symptoms, such as a cough, high temperature or shortness of breath: But people who have travelled to the following places - even if they don't have symptoms - are also being asked to stay at home: