CORONA: WHAT YOU AND YOUR FAMILY NEED TO KNOW NOW

The phoney war is over - as yesterday’s dramatic new figures and stark advice revealed. Keep this guide to protect you and your family

THE SHOCKING NEW FACTS

■ Between 5,000 and 10,000 people in the UK are thought to be already infected with coronavirus

■ So far nearly 600 Britons have been identified - with more than 20 of them being treated in intensive care

■ In the worst-case scenario, up to 80 per cent of the population could eventually become infected – meaning 53million in total ■ Many British families will lose loved ones to the virus

■ We are ten to 14 weeks away from the peak of the crisis

■ The UK is about four weeks behind Italy, where 827 people have died and 12,500 diagnosed

WHAT YOU SHOULD DO NOW

Anyone who suffers mild symptoms - either a temperature over 37.8C or a new continuous cough - should stay at home and not leave for a week When self-isolating, people should stay 6ft 6in away from other people in the home, sleep alone, and ask for food and supplies to be left outside the door If people suffer mild symptoms they should no longer call 111, but take immediate action and self-isolate If symptoms last longer than seven days they should log-on to NHS 111 online - and only call if they have no internet access The NHS will no longer test people for coronavirus unless they are in hospital and displaying symptoms Over-70s should avoid cruises Schools have been told to cancel all foreign trips

WHAT ACTION MAY BE TAKEN IN COMING WEEKS

All elderly people to be advised to stay at home Entire households could be ordered to self-isolate for a week if any single person has symptoms Sports events could be cancelled and mass gatherings limited Schools could be closed

WHAT’S THE REASONING BEHIND NEW MEASURES?

■ Yes, there could be more stringent measures – but delaying them will increase their impact

■ A cautious approach – and giving people advance warning – will reduce ‘crisis fatigue’ and make it more likely that they will follow health advice

■ Delaying the introduction of a ‘lock down’ will minimise the impact on society and the economy

■ Telling the elderly to stay at home at this point will increase isolation and loneliness

■ Closing schools could do more harm than good - and have a major impact on the NHS as crucial staff members take time off to look after their children. Elderly people would also suffer extra exposure if they have to look after grandchildren

■ Banning sports fixtures does not have a big impact - but the measure is being considered as they place stress on emergency services. Experts fear people will also gather to watch games in pubs instead

■ Banning travel would have had a minimal impact - and it is now too late to delay the spread

■ Universities are reluctant to close. With thousands of international students – who would have nowhere to go – such measures would not reduce the risk

HOW RISKS DECREASE…

If everyone with mild symptoms stays at home for a week – reduces peak by 20 to 25 per cent Whole household isolates if anyone is ill – adds an extra 25 per cent reduction Preventing elderly from getting infected – could reduce death rates by 20-30 per cent