UK begins tougher virus action after dire science warning – AFP

Britain on Tuesday ramped up its response to the escalating coronavirus outbreak after the government imposed unprecedented peacetime measures prompted by scientific advice that infections and deaths would spiral without drastic action.

More firms sent staff to work from home and public transport emptied after the government called for an end to “non-essential” social contact and unnecessary travel, as confirmed cases climbed to 1 950, with 69 deaths.

The government’s chief scientific adviser Patrick Vallance said it was “reasonable” to estimate that 55 000 people could have Covid-19, based on an expected death rate of one in 1 000 cases.

“If we can get numbers down to 20 000 and below, that’s a good outcome in terms of where we would hope to get with this outbreak,” he told a parliamentary health committee. “But that’s still horrible. It’s still an enormous number of deaths and an enormous pressure on the health service.”