Newly-retired doctors and nurses could be asked to return to the NHS as part of a UK “battle plan” to combat a possible further spread of coronavirus.
If the outbreak worsens, people could also be urged to work from home, under the government contingency proposals.
It comes as a minister in every department will be focused on tackling the outbreak and a “war room” set up to drive a new public health campaign.
The UK has 23 confirmed cases but there are warnings more will follow.
On Saturday evening, Willow Bank Infant School in Woodley, Berkshire, issued a statement saying one of its members of staff had tested positive for the virus – and it would be closing for a deep clean.
Meanwhile, more than 200 British holidaymakers locked down at a quarantined hotel in Tenerife have been told they will be allowed to fly home, if they test negative for coronavirus.
The travellers have been quarantined at the H10 Costa Adeje Palace hotel since Tuesday after four Italians contracted the virus. Some have already been allowed to leave.
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The Foreign Office is in contact with operators and travel agents about their plans to return Britons to the UK.
Wash hands for 20 seconds
The government says it will publish its “updated action plan” on its response to the virus, Covid-19, later this week.
It is based on existing plans for a pandemic flu outbreak – but has been adapted for the coronavirus.
The plan includes holding extra Cobra meetings as well as setting up a team of scientists and media experts who will work on a public information campaign from a so-called “war room” in the Cabinet Office.
This will see posters and social media adverts telling people to wash their hands for 20 seconds or more with soap and water.
Whitehall officials say they will be working closely with their counterparts in the devolved administrations.
Meanwhile, the Scottish government says it is increasing tests for coronavirus to all people with flu-like symptoms, even those who have not travelled to an affected area.
Image copyright Reuters
Image copyright Reuters
Prime Minister Boris Johnson, who will chair a Cobra meeting on Monday, said: “Coronavirus may very well be a challenge in the weeks and months ahead.
“But I have no doubt that with the help of the NHS and its incomparable staff this country will get through it and beat it.”
Health Secretary Matt Hancock said “every part of government is working together to share the responsibility of tackling the health, economic, and social impacts… but cannot do this alone.
“Every single person has a role to play in helping to manage the spread of the virus – whether that’s washing your hands more often, catching your sneezes, and following clinical advice.”
Infant school closed
More than 10,000 people have now been tested for the virus in the UK.
Currently, the UK is in the “containment” phase – where the strategy is to isolate people with the virus in hospital and trace who they came into contact with.
Health leaders say current containment measures may still be sufficient.
But the next phase could see broader “social distancing” measures – such as urging more people to work from home and discouraging unnecessary travel, the government said.
Rules around class sizes in schools could also be relaxed in the event of widespread staff shortages and there could be “emergency registration” of health professionals who have retired.
Original Article : HERE ;
from AllAbout https://allabout.pw/coronavirus-battle-plan-role-for-retired-doctors/
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