People urged to regularly ‘wash hands for 20 seconds’ as Government unveils coronavirus action plan
The document, which you can download here, provides the public with information on the Government’s plans to contain the spread, how action will develop as the virus spreads and what people can do to protect themselves and their families.
It also outlines the Government’s four-stage strategy to “contain, delay, research and mitigate”.
The plan offers advice to the public on how to respond in each of the four stages.
It also outlines what to expect if the outbreak becomes a pandemic, meaning epidemics are growing in multiple countries and continents.
Action if the virus spreads to pandemic levels could include:
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police, fire and rescue services to carrying out business continuity plans in response to staff shortages
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support for businesses facing short-term cash flow issues because of the virus to minimise impact on the economy
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emergency registration of health professionals who have recently retired
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introducing emergency indemnity coverage for health care workers to provide care or diagnostic services and relaxation of rules around staff to pupil ratios in education and childcare settings
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every Government department to have a ministerial lead on the virus to help oversee government response to coronavirus
The UK is currently focusing on containing the spread – the first stage of the plan. The next stage involves delaying the outbreak until warmer months to avoid overlapping with seasonal flu and other winter pressures on the NHS. A public information campaign will be introduced to support this. The campaign will include advice for the public on preventing the spread through proper handwashing.
The Government, which has invested more than £40 million in research to find a vaccine, may also ask businesses to consider more home working and discourage unnecessary travel as part of a ‘social distancing’ strategy to delay the peak of the outbreak.
Prime Minister Boris Johnson said: “I fully understand the public’s concerns about the global spread of this virus, and it is likely to become more significant in the coming weeks. But keeping the country safe is our overriding priority and today’s plan means we are committed to doing everything possible – based on the advice of our world-leading scientific experts – to prepare for all eventualities.
Matt Hancock, Health and Social Care Secretary, said: “We are taking all possible steps to contain this virus and they will remain driven and grounded by science.
“We have always said this outbreak could worsen before it gets better. Today’s battle plans, backed by our world-leading infectious disease experts, set out what actions the public can expect from Government now and if the virus does progress. Protecting the most vulnerable is our absolute priority.”
Chief Medical Officer for England, Professor Chris Whitty, said: “The measures outlined in the plan are based on the best available scientific evidence – and led by our world-leading infectious disease experts.
“Simple as it sounds, the single most important thing individuals can do to protect themselves right now is wash their hands regularly, for at least 20 seconds, with soap and water. We have always said it is likely we can expect more cases and today’s action plan outlines the types of options open to government in each phase of an outbreak.”
As of today (Tuesday 3 March), a total of 13,911 people have been tested in the UK, of which 13,860 were confirmed negative.
Read the plan here.
Meanwhile, a new NHS 111 online service has been put in place to help people get quick advice about coronavirus amid a surge in enquires following the outbreak.
More than 35,000 people used the site in a single day last weekend to get help and advice. The new NHS 111 online service to help deal with the volume of enquiries relating to coronavirus has given advice to more than 70,000 since it was launched last Wednesday.
The NHS in England is also ploughing an initial extra £1.7 million in to 111 to offer more clinical advice over the phone. Further funding will also provide 500 additional initial call responders with the capacity to answer around 20,000 more calls every day. Investment will increase if demand continues to rise.
Additional investment will free up clinical call handlers’ time so they are able to prioritise callers with symptoms.
Enquiries jumped by a quarter after advice for travellers who have been in Italy changed last week.
NHS 111 provided around 20,000 hours of expert clinical advice in January. The 111 service tells callers whether they require a test and helps to arrange one for those who need it.
Professor Stephen Powis, NHS national medical director, said: “NHS staff are working round the clock to respond to the coronavirus outbreak.
“We know that 111 call volumes have been high and people have understandably turned to the service for help, support and advice which is why we are ploughing in £1.7 million to increase staff available to field calls. The public is also now benefiting from the new NHS 111 online service which is helping increase capacity and free up clinicians time by offering specific help and advice on coronavirus at the touch of a button.
“I would like to say a personal thank all those NHS staff who are doing an incredible job caring for patients, testing thousands of worried people and taking calls from thousands more.”
In addition to the home diagnostic testing programme that is currently being rolled out in every part of the country, the NHS has introduced new, more convenient and efficient ways of testing such as the “drive-through” centre that has started operating in west London.
“We will make sure the NHS gets all the support it needs to continue their brilliant response to the virus so far. Crucially, we must also not forget what we can all do to fight this virus, which is to wash our hands with soap and water for the length of time it takes to sing ‘Happy Birthday’ twice. It’s simple advice but it’s the single most important thing we can all do.”
