Hopes of developing ‘herd immunity’

The death of the first patient in Scotland took the total for the UK to 11 as health authorities also recorded another big jump in positive tests – up to 798 as of 9am yesterday, from 590 at the same point on Thursday.

The developments came as experts defended the government’s response amid criticism from former health secretary Jeremy Hunt and others.

The UK’s chief scientific adviser said it was hoped the government’s approach to tackling coronavirus will create a “herd immunity” to the disease.

Sir Patrick Vallance said some of the social distancing measures put in place, including self-isolating for seven days if symptoms develop, are “actually quite extreme”.

His comments came as Mr Hunt questioned the government’s decision not to cancel large gatherings.

But many sports bodies did not wait for a government directive and suspended competitions anyway.

And Boris Johnson announced local and mayoral elections in May were being postponed for a year.

Defending the government’s advice, Sir Patrick said it was not looking to “suppress” the disease entirely but to help create a “herd immunity in the UK” while protecting the most vulnerable from it.

Asked if there is a fear that clamping down too hard on its spread could see it return, Sir Patrick said: “That is exactly the risk you would expect from previous epidemics.

“If you suppress something very, very hard, when you release those measures it bounces back and it bounces back at the wrong time.

“Also, because the vast majority of people get a mild illness, to build up some kind of herd immunity so more people are immune to this disease.”

Mr Hunt, chairman of the House of Commons health select committee, said earlier that the decision not to cancel large gatherings was “surprising and concerning”.

But the UK Government said it would not move to close schools yet.