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» UK’s top scientist warns of future fight » Experts slam Govt’s immunity master plan
what that looks like. We are a long way from what we would technically call herd immunity.” The UK measures as of last night were that anyone with a cough lasting more than four hours or a temperature above 37.8C is advised to self-isolate for seven days.
The next stage would be the elderly being told to stay at home and avoid socialising for up to three months during the summer in the hope of cutting deaths by a third. Entire families will also be quarantined if one member has a cough or fever.
Britain’s youngest victim of coronavirus has been revealed as 53-year-old mum-of-four Kimberley Finlayson, who died after falling ill on holiday in Bali with husband Ken. Kimberley, who ran a trade magazine on dentistry with Ken, was described as “a whirlwind of energy and ideas” by family and friends. Health authorities say she had pre-existing medical conditions. Officials in Bali said Ken has thus far tested negative for the virus.
In other developments:
■ An older person with underlying health conditions has died in Scotland after being treated for coronavirus by Lothian Health Board.
■ Health Secretary Matt Hancock has ordered anyone feeling unwell not to visit care homes.
■ A London Underground driver has tested positive for Covid-19. He has been off work this week after returning from holiday in Vietnam.
■ Radio 1’s Big Weekend will not go ahead. The music festival, which had Biffy Clyro, Harry Styles and Camila Cabello on the line-up, was due to take place in Dundee in May.
■ The Foreign Office advised against all but essential travel to the Spanish regions of Madrid, La Rioja and the municipalities of La Bastida, Vitoria and Miranda de Ebro.
Health Minister Nadine Dorries, who tested positive for coronavirus this week, has revealed her 84-year-old mum now has the disease.
Ms Dorries said: “She’s a pre-war baby, doing OK. Made of strong stuff.”
Prince Charles and Camilla have postponed their spring tour and the Queen has suspended public engagements. Charles, 71, was due to fly
to Bosnia and Herzegovina on Tuesday to commemorate the 25th anniversary of the genocide.
He was then set to join Camilla, 72, in Cyprus on Wednesday for a three-day stay. It would have been the first official royal visit there in 27 years.
The tour was due to end with four days of engagements in Jordan.
Clarence House said: “Owing to the unfolding situation with the coronavirus pandemic, the British Government has asked Their Royal Highnesses to postpone their spring tour.”
The Queen, 93, has called off plans to visit Cheshire on March 19, and Camden, in North London, on March 26. A spokesman called it “a sensible precaution”.
Her other engagements will be reviewed on an “ongoing basis”. As the nation continued to prepare itself for a major outbreak, people were seen taking precautions yesterday. Rapper Tinie Tempah, 31, posted a photo of himself on a train wearing a mask, protective gloves and what appeared to be a hazardous materials suit. He said: “Be safe out there, kids.”
One shopper at a Tesco in Yeovil, Somerset, was seen wearing a full hazmat suit.
Some shops had shelves stripped of goods as people continued to stockpile.
People reported seeing far fewer people on roads and public transport.
The biggest travel insurance provider, AXA UK, is the latest to restrict cover for claims around the coronavirus outbreak.
Meanwhile, online grocer Ocado has banned delivery drivers from stepping into people’s homes. From next week fast food firms Domino’s and Deliveroo are set to run services that do not involve coming into contact with customers.
One of Britain’s biggest private hospital operators, Spire Healthcare, says it has been asked to help the NHS cope with the outbreak.
And dozens of military planners have been drafted in to help with the coronavirus response.
The WHO yesterday declared Europe had overtaken China as the epicentre of coronavirus.