Boris Johnson spoke in a televised address on Thursday afternoon, announcing the UK’s progression to the ‘delay’ phase of the Government’s coronavirus plan. The Prime Minister was accompanied by England’s Chief Medical Officer Professor Chris Whitty and Sir Patrick Vallance, the Government’s chief scientific adviser as he stressed the danger of coronavirus.
Speaking from Downing Street Mr Johnson said families would continue to “lose loved ones before their time” as the coronavirus outbreak worsens.
Mr Johnson said coronavirus “is the worst public health crisis for a generation”, and set out measures which he admitted could “cause severe disruption” for many months.
He said: ”We’ve all got to be clear, this is the worst public health crisis for a generation.
“Some people compare it to seasonal flu, alas that is not right. Due to the lack of immunity this disease is more dangerous.
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“It is going to spread further and I must level with you, I must level with the British public: many more families are going to lose loved ones before their time.”
Now the UK has moved into the delay phase of the coronavirus outbreak which means measures are being put in place to delay the peak of the outbreak.
Mr Johnson said there was a need to delay the spread of COVID-19 to “minimise the suffering” and reduce the impact on the NHS.
Advice now is for those who have any symptoms of coronavirus is to stay at home for at least seven days.
Mr Johnson said: ”If you have coronavirus symptoms however mild, either a new continuous cough or a high temperature, then you should stay at home for at least seven days to protect others and help slow the spread of the disease.”
Symptoms of coronavirus are
- a cough
- a high temperature
- shortness of breath
The NHS now advises to stay at home for 7 days if you have either:
- a high temperature
- a new continuous cough
Do not go to a GP surgery, pharmacy or hospital. You do not need to contact 111 to tell them you’re staying at home.
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Instead of ringing 111 if you suspect you are ill, Mr Johnson advised checking the NHS guidance on coronavirus and self-isolation.
Professor Whitty said the NHS will alter its approach to testing for coronavirus, with only those at hospitals to be formally examined.
He said: ”It is no longer necessary for us to identify every case and we will move from having testing mainly done in homes and outpatients and walk-in centres, to a situation where people who are remaining at home do not need testing.
“We will pivot all the testing capacity to identify those in hospitals who have symptoms so we can pick them up early, make sure we treat them well and ensure they don’t pass on the virus to other people in hospitals.
“So there will be a change in hospital and other testing systems.”
Professor Whitty said people from now on would be tested “irrespective of their travel history” if they are showing severe symptoms.
In a message to the elderly, Mr Johnson said although the disease was “particularly dangerous” for them, the vast majority would experience “a mild-to-moderate illness”.
Calling for action to support older relatives and neighbours, Mr Johnson said: “We are going to need to mobilise millions of people to help and support each other.”
During his briefing, the Prime Minister said school trips abroad should be stopped, while people over 70 with serious medical conditions should not go on cruises.
However, Mr Johnson said there was no need to close schools now as the scientific advice “is that this could do more harm than good”.
He said this tactic may change at some point while in the future anybody living with somebody who is taken ill could be told to self-isolate for seven days.
That measure is not being advised yet, Mr Johnson said, but he added: “I want to signal now that this is coming down the track.”
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