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Coronavirus: Boris Johnson to hold emergency Cobra meeting | Coronavirus: Boris Johnson to hold emergency Cobra meeting |
(about 1 hour later) | |
The prime minister will chair an emergency Cobra meeting later to decide whether to bring in measures to delay the spread of coronavirus in the UK. | The prime minister will chair an emergency Cobra meeting later to decide whether to bring in measures to delay the spread of coronavirus in the UK. |
The meeting is expected to consider whether "social distancing" measures should be phased in. | |
These could include banning of big events, closing schools and encouraging home working. | These could include banning of big events, closing schools and encouraging home working. |
It comes after a man in his 60s became the UK's third death linked to the Covid-19 virus. | It comes after a man in his 60s became the UK's third death linked to the Covid-19 virus. |
Ministers will also meet with sports bodies and UK supermarkets to discuss their response to the outbreak. | Ministers will also meet with sports bodies and UK supermarkets to discuss their response to the outbreak. |
On Sunday, the number of confirmed cases in the UK rose to 278, from 209 on Saturday - the biggest rise so far. | On Sunday, the number of confirmed cases in the UK rose to 278, from 209 on Saturday - the biggest rise so far. |
The UK is currently in the first phase - "containment" - of the government's four-part plan to tackle the spread of coronavirus. | The UK is currently in the first phase - "containment" - of the government's four-part plan to tackle the spread of coronavirus. |
The Cobra meeting is expected to consider whether the UK should officially move into the "delay" phase. | |
The government has previously said "social distancing" measures to slow the spread of the virus could include a ban on sporting events and other large gatherings, and encouraging people to work from home rather than use crowded trains and buses. | |
Such a step would require agreement from chief medical officer Prof Chris Whitty and chief scientific adviser Sir Patrick Vallance, who are due to be at the meeting. | Such a step would require agreement from chief medical officer Prof Chris Whitty and chief scientific adviser Sir Patrick Vallance, who are due to be at the meeting. |
Meanwhile sports governing bodies will meet ministers to discuss the possibility of staging events behind closed doors. | Meanwhile sports governing bodies will meet ministers to discuss the possibility of staging events behind closed doors. |
Environment Secretary George Eustice will also discuss contingency plans with supermarket chief executives, including proposals on how to support vulnerable groups who may have to self-isolate. | Environment Secretary George Eustice will also discuss contingency plans with supermarket chief executives, including proposals on how to support vulnerable groups who may have to self-isolate. |
Flights cancelled | Flights cancelled |
The latest person to die - a man in his 60s with significant underlying health problems - had recently returned from Italy, Public Health England said on Sunday. | The latest person to die - a man in his 60s with significant underlying health problems - had recently returned from Italy, Public Health England said on Sunday. |
The man was being at specialist infectious diseases unit in North Manchester General Hospital after testing positive for coronavirus. | The man was being at specialist infectious diseases unit in North Manchester General Hospital after testing positive for coronavirus. |
Prof Whitty said health officials were tracing people who may have been in contact with the man while he was carrying the virus. | Prof Whitty said health officials were tracing people who may have been in contact with the man while he was carrying the virus. |
'The next stage of the coronavirus fight' | |
It seems certain we will move to the next stage of the fight against coronavirus, probably this week. | |
That will involve going from trying to contain the spread of the virus to accepting there is going to be community transmission and looking at ways to slow its spread. | |
There are plenty of drastic options on the table from closing schools to banning public gatherings. | |
But health officials are unlikely to recommend these immediately. Instead, it will be a more gradual, phased approach. | |
That could involve people being asked to consider ways we can all reduce our social contact. It could be working from home, staggering our commute or cutting back on socialising. | |
The government's clear message will be that we all have a role to play in tackling this - as individuals, as employers and as communities. | |
The Foreign Office has warned Britons to avoid large parts of northern Italy under a coronavirus quarantine, unless their journey is essential. | The Foreign Office has warned Britons to avoid large parts of northern Italy under a coronavirus quarantine, unless their journey is essential. |
Those travelling from locked-down areas have also been advised to self-isolate if they returned to the UK in the last 14 days - even if they have shown no symptoms. | Those travelling from locked-down areas have also been advised to self-isolate if they returned to the UK in the last 14 days - even if they have shown no symptoms. |
Italy now has the highest number of confirmed cases outside China at 7,375, and its death toll rose from 133 on Sunday to 366. | Italy now has the highest number of confirmed cases outside China at 7,375, and its death toll rose from 133 on Sunday to 366. |
British nationals are still able to depart Italy without restriction, but some airlines have cancelled flights from affected areas. | British nationals are still able to depart Italy without restriction, but some airlines have cancelled flights from affected areas. |
Amid concerns that fake news about the coronavirus is causing confusion, a specialist unit to combat disinformation has been set up. | Amid concerns that fake news about the coronavirus is causing confusion, a specialist unit to combat disinformation has been set up. |
Teams from across Whitehall have been brought together to identify and respond to disinformation in a bid to limit its spread. | Teams from across Whitehall have been brought together to identify and respond to disinformation in a bid to limit its spread. |
'Fantastic job' | 'Fantastic job' |
NHS 111 staff are doing a "fantastic job" in managing increased call volumes over the outbreak, Prof Stephen Powis, NHS medical director, told BBC News. | NHS 111 staff are doing a "fantastic job" in managing increased call volumes over the outbreak, Prof Stephen Powis, NHS medical director, told BBC News. |
He said a new online coronavirus service has been used by more than one million people since its launch last week. | He said a new online coronavirus service has been used by more than one million people since its launch last week. |
Prof Powis said the service should be the "first point of access" and was capable of determining whether the user should have a virus test. | Prof Powis said the service should be the "first point of access" and was capable of determining whether the user should have a virus test. |
As of Sunday, 23,513 people had been tested across the UK, with 273 cases proving positive for the virus. | As of Sunday, 23,513 people had been tested across the UK, with 273 cases proving positive for the virus. |
And on Sunday evening, five more cases in Northern Ireland were announced, bringing the total in the country to 12 and 278 in the UK. | And on Sunday evening, five more cases in Northern Ireland were announced, bringing the total in the country to 12 and 278 in the UK. |
In Wales two more people have tested positive for the coronavirus, taking the total number there to four. | In Wales two more people have tested positive for the coronavirus, taking the total number there to four. |
Chancellor Rishi Sunak pledged to give the NHS "whatever resources it needs" to cope with a coronavirus epidemic, ahead of Wednesday's Budget. | Chancellor Rishi Sunak pledged to give the NHS "whatever resources it needs" to cope with a coronavirus epidemic, ahead of Wednesday's Budget. |
Mr Sunak also said he was looking at temporary measures to support people who may be unable to go to work or businesses which may suffer as a result of the measures. | Mr Sunak also said he was looking at temporary measures to support people who may be unable to go to work or businesses which may suffer as a result of the measures. |
The government outlined emergency legislation to tackle coronavirus over the weekend, including measures to allow people to leave their jobs and volunteer to care for those affected. | The government outlined emergency legislation to tackle coronavirus over the weekend, including measures to allow people to leave their jobs and volunteer to care for those affected. |
In other developments: | In other developments: |
Have you or anyone else you know been affected by the coronavirus? You can tell us your story by emailing haveyoursay@bbc.co.uk. | Have you or anyone else you know been affected by the coronavirus? You can tell us your story by emailing haveyoursay@bbc.co.uk. |
Please include a contact number if you are willing to speak to a BBC journalist. You can also contact us in the following ways: | Please include a contact number if you are willing to speak to a BBC journalist. You can also contact us in the following ways: |
Or use the form below: | Or use the form below: |