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Coronavirus: UK's approach 'concerning', says Jeremy Hunt Coronavirus: UK's approach 'concerning', says Jeremy Hunt
(about 2 hours later)
The government's decision not to cancel public events over the coronavirus outbreak is "concerning", says ex-health secretary Jeremy Hunt.The government's decision not to cancel public events over the coronavirus outbreak is "concerning", says ex-health secretary Jeremy Hunt.
His criticism of the UK approach comes as new measures to delay the virus spreading come into effect.His criticism of the UK approach comes as new measures to delay the virus spreading come into effect.
Many other countries have responded to the crisis by closing schools and cancelling sports and arts events.Many other countries have responded to the crisis by closing schools and cancelling sports and arts events.
But Prime Minister Boris Johnson said it was crucial to get the timing right for stricter measures.But Prime Minister Boris Johnson said it was crucial to get the timing right for stricter measures.
In total, 10 people have now died in the UK with the virus.In total, 10 people have now died in the UK with the virus.
There have been 596 confirmed cases across the country, but health officials have said they believe the actual number of people infected could be between 5,000 and 10,000.There have been 596 confirmed cases across the country, but health officials have said they believe the actual number of people infected could be between 5,000 and 10,000.
Mr Hunt, who quit at foreign secretary in July, told BBC Newsnight that the UK was in a "national emergency" and suggested the government's new approach did not go far enough. Mr Hunt, who quit as foreign secretary in July, told BBC Newsnight that the UK was in a "national emergency" and suggested the government's new approach did not go far enough.
Asked about the decision not to cancel large gatherings yet, he said: "I think it is surprising and concerning that we're not doing any of it at all when we have just four weeks before we get to the stage that Italy is at.Asked about the decision not to cancel large gatherings yet, he said: "I think it is surprising and concerning that we're not doing any of it at all when we have just four weeks before we get to the stage that Italy is at.
"You would have thought that every single thing we do in that four weeks would be designed to slow the spread of people catching the virus.""You would have thought that every single thing we do in that four weeks would be designed to slow the spread of people catching the virus."
Much of Italy - the world's worst-hit country after China - is currently in lockdown as the country's tally of deaths has topped 1,000.Much of Italy - the world's worst-hit country after China - is currently in lockdown as the country's tally of deaths has topped 1,000.
Mr Hunt, chair of the Commons health and social care committee, said he was also "personally surprised that we're still allowing external visits to care homes".Mr Hunt, chair of the Commons health and social care committee, said he was also "personally surprised that we're still allowing external visits to care homes".
He added that the evidence from countries who appeared to have been successful in turning back the virus showed they "moved very early" on introducing social distancing.He added that the evidence from countries who appeared to have been successful in turning back the virus showed they "moved very early" on introducing social distancing.
On Thursday, Boris Johnson announced new measures aimed at protecting the elderly and those most vulnerable to the disease, which included:On Thursday, Boris Johnson announced new measures aimed at protecting the elderly and those most vulnerable to the disease, which included:
The PM said suspending major public events such as sporting fixtures was still under consideration, but it would be a measure primarily to protect public services, rather than delay the spread.The PM said suspending major public events such as sporting fixtures was still under consideration, but it would be a measure primarily to protect public services, rather than delay the spread.
He also said there was no need to close schools at the moment, saying "the scientific advice is that this could do more harm than good at this time".He also said there was no need to close schools at the moment, saying "the scientific advice is that this could do more harm than good at this time".
The UK government's health advisers are working on the assumption that Britain will not see infection rates peak for up to three months.The UK government's health advisers are working on the assumption that Britain will not see infection rates peak for up to three months.
Ministers said it was important to get the timing right for stricter measures because people would tire of them after a few weeks.Ministers said it was important to get the timing right for stricter measures because people would tire of them after a few weeks.
As the epidemic reaches its peak, it is likely elderly people and those with health conditions will be told to cut social contact and stay at home.As the epidemic reaches its peak, it is likely elderly people and those with health conditions will be told to cut social contact and stay at home.
UK plans 'sensible'UK plans 'sensible'
Keith Neal, emeritus professor in the epidemiology of infectious diseases at the University of Nottingham, said the measures would help contain the spread of the virus.Keith Neal, emeritus professor in the epidemiology of infectious diseases at the University of Nottingham, said the measures would help contain the spread of the virus.
He said: "The plans are sensible, it is very easy to say more needs to be done, but there is little evidence to make any decision."He said: "The plans are sensible, it is very easy to say more needs to be done, but there is little evidence to make any decision."
Meanwhile, Susan Michie, professor of health psychology at University College London, said "nobody has the right answer" when it comes to tackling the virus.Meanwhile, Susan Michie, professor of health psychology at University College London, said "nobody has the right answer" when it comes to tackling the virus.
However, she said having sports events played behind closed doors could be counterproductive as it might instead lead people to gathering in pubs "in the warmth, where viruses love it".However, she said having sports events played behind closed doors could be counterproductive as it might instead lead people to gathering in pubs "in the warmth, where viruses love it".
Scotland is among the countries to have restricted mass gatherings, along with the Irish Republic, which has also closed schools and other public facilities.Scotland is among the countries to have restricted mass gatherings, along with the Irish Republic, which has also closed schools and other public facilities.
Elsewhere, France is one of the latest European countries to close all schools, universities and nurseries. In the US, all major sport has been suspended and Broadway performances are off for a month.Elsewhere, France is one of the latest European countries to close all schools, universities and nurseries. In the US, all major sport has been suspended and Broadway performances are off for a month.
In other developments:In other developments:
The number of UK cases rose by more than 100 on Thursday - with 491 in England, 60 in Scotland, 20 in Northern Ireland and 25 in Wales.The number of UK cases rose by more than 100 on Thursday - with 491 in England, 60 in Scotland, 20 in Northern Ireland and 25 in Wales.
Public Health England has released new guidance for those staying at home because they have symptoms of the virus - a cough or a temperature of 37.8C (100F) or more.Public Health England has released new guidance for those staying at home because they have symptoms of the virus - a cough or a temperature of 37.8C (100F) or more.
Its advice states:Its advice states:
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