Prime Minister Boris Johnson has outlined the next steps in the UK’s plan to fight coronavirus in first of a series of daily updates.
He has urged people with symptoms, a new persistent cough or fever, to isolate at home for 14 days, with everyone in the household, even without symptoms to also isolate for 14 days – advising not to venture out for supplies if possible. The previous advice had been to isolate for 7 days.
The public has also been asked to work from home when possible and to avoid the theatre, pubs and clubs.
The PM warned: “Without drastic action cases could double every five or six days,”
Also advising that “now is the time for everyone to stop non-essential contact and to stop all non-essential travel”.
It has also be said that by the weekend, groups particularly vulnerable to Covid-19 will be asked to stay at home for 3 months.
Schools and colleges are to remain open.
1,543 people have tested positive in the UK – up 171 from the same point yesterday. Over 44,000 people have been tested in the UK.
"Once again, our key message is:
test,
test,
test.This is a serious disease. Although the evidence we have suggests that those over 60 are at highest risk, young people, including children, have died"-@DrTedros #COVID19 #coronavirus
— World Health Organization (WHO) (@WHO) March 16, 2020
The PM’s update comes at the same time The World Health Organisation says: “Once again, our key message is: test, test, test.”
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