LONDON: Britain is planning for the worldwide coronavirus epidemic to worsen, well being minister Matt Hancock stated on Sunday, describing the outbreak as a “very, very important problem”.
Prime Minister Boris Johnson will chair a gathering of the federal government’s emergency response committee on Monday, signalling a stepping up of Britain’s preparation for the epidemic which started in China, the place authorities estimate it has killed virtually three,000 individuals worldwide.
“We have a transparent technique for coping with coronavirus – a really, very important problem,” Hancock informed Sky Information. “We’re additionally planning in case this will get worse, a lot worse.”
If the virus turns into extra widespread, the federal government will take a look at registering retired well being staff to work once more, and whether or not encouraging individuals to work from home might delay its peak till summer time when it may be extra simply handled.
Britain at present has 23 confirmed coronavirus circumstances, and Hancock stated on Sunday it was nonetheless in a containment section. The difficulty will grow to be a standing merchandise for all cupboard conferences and there might be extra media briefings from well being officers.
Johnson wrote within the Solar newspaper that it was proper to be involved concerning the attainable unfold of the virus, however stated a go to to a British hospital had left him “100% assured within the medical resilience”
The federal government is launching a brand new public info marketing campaign this week, encouraging individuals to scrub their fingers for a minimum of 20 seconds, and to take action extra typically than regular.
