Boris says school closures and cancelling big events part of coronavirus battle plan as UK faces ‘significant’ outbreak

BORIS Johnson has admitted school closures and cancelling big events could form part of his coronavirus battle plan as the UK faces a “significant” outbreak.

The Prime Minister promised the NHS would have as much funding as it needed, and vowed to “stop the spread of the disease”.

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Being interviewed on BBC News this evening, the PM admitted Britain must now prepare for a “significant expansion” of the coronavirus.

He said: “At the moment it’s difficult to speculate exactly how it may or may not progress.

“What you can say with a degree of certainty, it’s much more likely in my view than not that we will face a challenge in the weeks, months ahead.

“You’ve got to consider the realistic possibility that there is now going to be a significant expansion in the number of cases.

“We will be setting out tomorrow the steps that we are going to take as a country, as a government working together to inform the public about what we're doing and setting up the method by which we will be taking those decisions.”

The PM was also asked about closing public buildings and schools, and refused to rule it out.

He said: “What we've got is a range of calibrated responses to the spread of coronavirus and clearly the measures that you have mentioned are on on that on that list.

“The issue will be when and how and with what logic to, to deploy them.

“But at the moment, I just wish to repeat, the crucial thing we can all do to help the NHS, to stop the spread of the disease, is wash your hands twice, two verses of Happy birthday, hot water and soap.”

He added: “What I do wish to reassure the public about is: number one, that we've taken every possible precaution or preparation that we can.”

Earlier the PM admitted the coronavirus crisis will worsen in the next few days and weeks - as the number of UK cases rose to 40.

After chairing an emergency COBRA meeting this morning, Mr Johnson insisted the NHS is well prepared to cope, as the number of cases continues to spiral across the world.

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Boris vowed today to stop at nothing to tackle the coronavirus crisis - pictured at Public Health England yesterday

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This morning he signed off on a four-nation plan for how to tackle it if it gets any worse, as Britain's toll rose again today with four new cases.

The plan - to be published tomorrow - will contain more details on when measures like closing schools and banning mass gatherings could happen.

And it will contain specific measures to help protect older and more vulnerable people.

But the PM said such drastic decisions would only be taken on the advice of top scientific advisers.

At the moment the NHS is rolling out a four-point action of 'contain, delay, research, mitigate' to tackle the spread of the disease.

Speaking after the COBRA meeting, he told reporters: "It's a problem that is likely to become more significant for this country in the next days and weeks.

"We have been making every possible preparation for that.

"We have agreed a plan so that as and when, if it starts to spread, as it looks likely it will, we are in a position to take the steps that will be necessary to contain the spread of the disease.";

The best thing Brits can do at the moment is to wash their hands regularly and thoroughly, he said, but at the moment people should go about their business as usual.

It came as:

• 40 cases of coronavirus have now been confirmed in Britain - including at least one who caught the disease in Britain
• Thirty-five schools are now on lockdown amid pandemic fears
• Rugby has already been hit by the postponement of next week’s Six Nations clash between Ireland and virus-plagued Italy
• Millions could be told to work from home to stop it spreading further in emergency plans under consideration
• The Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development slashed the 2020 global growth forecast by 0.5 per cent over the outbreak
• New chancellor Rishi Sunak was warned his budget plans may be blown apart due to the coronavirus causing massive economic disruption
• The EU warned the virus could cause huge disruption to the economy and society

Boris was expected to have told the COBRA meeting:  "We are well prepared, and the Government and the NHS will stop at nothing to fight this virus."

The chief medical officer Professor Chris Whitty and chief scientific adviser attended the war room meeting, along with several members of the Cabinet.

Scottish First Minister Nicola Sturgeon and other leaders from Wales and Northern Ireland dialled in to the room - but Mayor of London Sadiq Khan did not attend.

She said following today's meeting that she was working with the PM to make sure we "do everything we can to stop it taking hold in the community".

We are well prepared, and the Government and the NHS will stop at nothing to fight this virus

Boris Johnson

The "delay" stage would likely include measures to "slow the spread of the infection and lower the peak" to help pressure on the NHS.

"During that phase, decisions around, for example, cancellation of large scale events would be taken," she added.

Scotland's chief medical officer said up to 80 per cent of the country's population could be affected during the height of the crisis - but the vast majority would be mild cases.

However, around 200,000 could be hospitalised, he warned.

This afternoon the EU's centre for disease control has warned of a "huge" impact on society and the economy.

Experts have upgraded the risk from moderate to high as it continues to spread.

But the majority of deaths are still those who are elderly or who have pre-existing conditions.

Meanwhile top officials are locked in a row about access to the EU's pandemic warning system after Brexit.

The Department for Health are believed to want to retain membership of the early warning system, but No10 has reported blocked them, the Daily Telegraph claimed.

Britain is set to start its EU talks on a post-Brexit trade deal later today in Brussels.

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The news comes after a fresh report warned that 110,000 people likely have returned back from Italy in the last fortnight - and could be at risk of the killer disease.

As the number of cases begins to creep up in the UK, its feared many could be still in the incubation stage, experts warned that symptoms may be hidden for now.

The forecast included 15,000 flying back into the capital, with the economic consultancy suggesting this could lead to a disaster for the economy.

They warned if even a small percentage of those returning had symptoms, employers could be forced to order staff to stay home.

Yesterday Matt Hancock refused to rule out Coronavirus shutting down entire cities like they have done in China.

The Health Secretary also admitted a vaccine to treat the deadly bug was months away and the Government would publish doomsday plans this week.

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The public are being pushed to make sure they clean their hands as thoroughly as possible to stop the spread of the killer coronavirus bug.

The Health Secretary yesterday warned people should scrub their mitts for at least 20 seconds to destroy as many germs as possible.

Experts have warned that desperate moves to contain the Covid-19 outbreak could decimate all sport across the UK for months.

Clubs have begun taking their own precautions to protect star players from infection.

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What to do if you're worried you've got coronavirus

The new coronavirus is continuing to sweep its way across the globe with Britain seeing more cases in people who aren't linked to outbreaks overseas.

Symptoms of Covid-19 can include:

• a cough
• a high temperature
• difficulty breathing

In most cases, you won't know whether you have a coronavirus or a different cold-causing virus.

But if a coronavirus infection spreads to the lower respiratory tract, it can cause pneumonia, especially in older people, people with heart disease or people with weakened immune systems.

It is incredibly contagious and is spread through contact with anything the virus is on as well as infected breath, coughs or sneezes.

The best way to prevent catching any form of coronavirus is to practice good hygiene.

If you have cold-like symptoms, you can help protect others by staying home when you are sick and avoiding contact with others.

You should also cover your mouth and nose with a tissue when you cough and sneeze then throw it away and wash your hands.

Cleaning and disinfecting objects and surfaces which you may have touched is also important.

If you have returned from Wuhan in the last 14 days:

• Stay indoors and avoid contact with other people as you would with other flu viruses
• Call NHS 111 to inform them of your recent travel to the city
• your recent travel to the city

If you are in Northern Ireland, call your GP.

Please follow this advice even if you do not have symptoms of the virus.

Meanwhile, leading symptom-checking provider to the NHS has been updated to help identify patients' risk of having coronavirus.

Source: NHS

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