Boris Johnson Coronavirus update: "This is the worst public health crisis in a generation... I must level with you - many more families are going to lose loved ones before their time... But we have a clear plan."
Seeking to stretch the peak of the disease over longer period to minimise strain on health services. "The most dangerous period is not now, but some weeks today."
From tomorrow if you have even the mildest of symptoms, you must stay at home for seven days. In coming weeks, if someone in household has symptoms, we will ask everyone in that household to stay at home.
UK is NOT closing schools now. It may do more harm than good at the moment, says the PM.
Government coronavirus experts: The UK is estimated to be "four weeks behind" where Italy currently is. 590 cases identified in the UK. 20 patients in intensive care. More likely we have 5 - 10,000 people infected.
Strategy: Delay the peak - and push the peak down - so there is a greater and longer spread of infections into the summer months.
Closing schools: To have any effect at the moment, schools would have to be closed for 13 - 16 weeks which right now would be counter-productive. Would increase risk of children stuck at home infecting grandparents.
New interesting fact: Experts now think the virus is at its most dangerous in the **first few days of symptoms emerging** and then declines - which means after 7 days of isolation people may be safe to get on with their lives.
Two finals point: 1) Govt experts predicting UK peak could still be 10 - 14 weeks away. Pushes the crisis into June. We could be in this for the long haul. 2) They also said no country has seen infections anywhere near worst-case projection of 80%.
