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Coronavirus: UK's approach 'concerning', says Jeremy Hunt Coronavirus: UK measures defended amid criticism
(about 5 hours later)
The government's decision not to cancel public events over the coronavirus outbreak is "concerning", says ex-health secretary Jeremy Hunt. Telling those with a high temperature or cough to self-isolate for a week will have the "biggest impact" in the fight against coronavirus, the UK's chief science adviser says.
His criticism of the UK approach comes as new measures to delay the virus spreading come into effect. Sir Patrick Vallance said the new advice was a "big intervention", amid criticism of the government's plan to combat the virus.
Many other countries have responded to the crisis by closing schools and cancelling sports and arts events. The UK has moved from "containing" the coronavirus to "delaying" it.
But Prime Minister Boris Johnson said it was crucial to get the timing right for stricter measures. But an ex-health secretary criticised the lack of more stringent measures.
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 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. In total, 10 people have now died in the UK with the virus.
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. Jeremy Hunt told BBC Newsnight the decision to hold off cancelling large gatherings was "surprising and concerning" when we have "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," added Mr Hunt, who was health secretary for six years and quit as foreign secretary in July.
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. But Sir Patrick told BBC Radio 4's Today programme it was more likely the virus would be transmitted in a pub than a stadium.
"The most likely place you are going to get an infection from is a family member or friend in a small space, not in a big space," he said.
Defending the new tactics, he told BBC Breakfast: "The first set of measures are actually rather large."
"We have just asked a lot of people to isolate, stay at home, if they have got symptoms of mild upper respiratory tract infection, cough or fever. That is a big change," he added.
"We have also talked about the possibility of whole households staying at home if one person has got [coronavirus] - that may come in later.
"And importantly we are also talking about that during the peak when people are most likely to get infected, the elderly and vulnerable are properly protected. This is not a short-term thing, it is going to go on for weeks."
He said that closing schools was a "very effective way of dealing with pandemic flu" but that with this coronavirus, "the role of children is less clear in terms of spreading the disease".
Sir Patrick said it is hoped the government's approach will create a "herd immunity in the UK".
"Our aim is to try and reduce the peak, broaden the peak, not suppress it completely," he said.
"Also, because the vast majority of people get a mild illness, to build up some kind of herd immunity so more people are immune to this disease and we reduce the transmission.
"At the same time we protect those who are most vulnerable to it."
He also said the new coronavirus is likely to become "an annual seasonal infection".
'More harm than good'
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: Sir Patrick said that new advice for care homes would become important as the epidemic progressed.
On Thursday, Prime Minister 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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