By Charlotte Webster-
The UK is expected to move from the “containment” phase of the outbreak to “delay” at the government’s emergency Cobra committee.
“Containment” aims to halt the spread of the disease, but “delay” seeks to slow its progression. The World Health Organisation labelled the outbreak of the disease a pandemic.
Conservative colleague Nadine Dorries, who has tested positive for the virus.Thursday’s emergency Cobra committee meeting will be chaired by the Prime minister, Boris Johnson, a day after the UK saw its biggest rise in cases – up to 460, with two more deaths, bringing the total to eight.
The UK’s strategy on responding to the virus has three phases: Containment, delay, mitigation and running alongside these – research. Delay reflects the stage of “social distancing” measures will be considered , which could include restrictions on public gatherings above a certain number of people, although this is not thought likely at this stage.
The delay phase aims to lower the peak impact of the virus and push it away from the winter season – when pressures on the NHS are more acute because of issues including seasonal flu. Delaying the impact of the outbreak could also buy time for the testing of drugs and initial development of vaccines and/or improved therapies or tests to help reduce the impact of the disease.
The emergency Cobra committee last met on Monday, when it was decided the UK should remain in the containment phase. The unnamed cabinet minister and Mr Edagar were confirmed as having gone into self-isolation after coming into contact with Ms Dorries at a Downing Street reception.
The cabinet minister is awaiting the results of a coronavirus test, while Mr Argar, a colleague of Ms Dorries, has been self isolating. People who have recently returned from affected countries or have been in close contact with a person who has tested positive for the virus have been advised to self isolate. It means staying at home, not going to work, school or other public places, and avoiding public transport or taxis, in an attempt to avoid spreading the virus.