Coronavirus cases in UK rise sharply - as Italy closes schools for 10 days

England's Chief Medical Officer has warned that we are on the verge of moving from trying to contain the virus by tracking all known cases, to the ‘delay’ phase of the official response.

That's to stop the number of cases rising too quickly. Meanwhile Italy - the worst affected country in Europe - is to close all schools and universities until the middle of the month.

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[MT-oity]

Close schools and universities please .... now before it’s too late

[RuleBritannia]

Italy were at our numbers only ten days ago.

[ShadowyFigure]

Good job i've got no mates. Never thought I'd see the day when there's a blackmarket for hand santeizer...

[scottriseborough]

3.2% mortality rate

UK citizens: close everything

UK government :Na it'll be fine

[MrsShoplifter]

So, if I'm understanding this correctly: there needs to be a full-blown break-out before anything will be done. It still sounds like reactivity as opposed to pro-activity.

[michaeldenisCarlin]

When the goverment says dont panic = PANIC

[theslimeylimey]

Switch from contain to delay? What containment effort was there to switch from?. Sitting back waiting for it to show up and then recording who is infected isn't containing anything.

[doubledigit]

I’ve seen how fast kids pass bugs around schools... just because they can’t get it doesn’t mean they aren’t carriers

[wileyschmitt]

Look deeper, the numbers aren't reducing in China, likely quite the opposite.

[wilsor]

As soon as this was announced back in January all unnecessary journeys abroad should have been cancelled out of the uk. I feel this country and others are doing things too little too late.

[danieldjtonto]

Should be PROACTIVE! not reactive! Not exaclty rocket science to understand that is surly!

[ShintyShinto]

I'm hoping schools will be closed, not to save me from Coronavirus, but to save me from my A-levels.

[adammerza]

I changed planes in Malaysia on 17th Feb, now I've got fever, tickly cough etc. Called the 111 line, based on the dates they say I'm not a risk, as it wasn't in Malaysia at that point. They refused to give me a test, and said they wouldn't even advise me to self isolate! Madness, I'm staying home anyway.

[Astrolavista]

I have 3 kids (5, 5 & 8 years old) The 5 year olds lie about washing their hands when they've been to the toilet at school, and under supervision at home they are terrible and I end up doing it for them. the 8 year old constantly picks at his lips! Needless to say as soon as this really kicks off I'm pulling them out of school at the risk of my job.

[flash]

School's should be out till its over

[tttiffa]

I'm genuinely confused. What exactly has been done then? We've been washing our hands for weeks and it's just getting worse.

The fact that people on the internet are smarter than the government is scary. We said to shut the boarders, shut schools, shut workplaces and wear masks but they said no. However in the countries when it's decreasing that's what they're doing.

If I had the choice my life would not be in Boris Johnson's hands cause we've all seen how he deals with people in crisis...

[therange]

They need to STOP this contact tracing as it's gone too far to work! A waste of valuable time for the professionals! Schools should shut and concentrate on DISTANCE learning for the students. PC's could be lent out if required. Large gatherings should be stopped. Yes, AND the Royal Commonwealth meeting! Pods should be placed around towns/cities to get swabbed, for easier access, not just outside hospitals. Pubs and restaurants should be SHUT. Shops will need to be shut too. Online shopping for food should be encouraged. Supermarkets should provide a mask and gloves for those who don't bring them, for staff and the shoppers.
This IS going to turn into a nightmare, very quickly.

[lestatangel]

This situation is just going to run its course. There's nothing they can do to stop it or delay it. It's already in the population to such an extent it can't be mitigated.

[marthaoschwald]

WHY IS THIS MAN dodging every single question? Even when people are dying around the globe, he still thinks money matters more than people.

[navardalife]

The Queen has plenty of money to give back in times like these.