news--2020-03-13--Coronavirus: Italian doctor describes patients' last moments

A doctor has described the last moments of coronavirus patients , saying they remain lucid until the end and ask to talk to their loved ones by phone as they realise they are dying .
Doctor Francesca Cortellaro , from the San Carlo Borromeo hospital in Milan , is one of many medical staff in Italy to speak candidly about their struggle with coronavirus .
Many have shared harrowing tales and photos of exhausting shifts - and of the toll the battle is taking .
One has likened the virus to an earthquake .
Dr Cortellaro told Italian newspaper Il @ @ @ @ @ @ @ most dramatic ?
Seeing patients dying alone , listening to them as they beg you to say goodbye to their children and grandchildren . ''
• Mass gatherings in the UK will be banned from next week under plans being drawn up by ministers • The London Marathon is among a number of sporting events cancelled • Anyone entering New Zealand will have to self-isolate for 14 days • US President Donald Trump has declared the outbreak a national emergency • More than 145,000 cases and almost 5,500 deaths have been declared worldwide @ @ @ @ @ @ @ has seen the worst coronavirus outbreak outside of China , with more than 800 deaths and the total number of people infected with COVID-19 standing at 12,462 .
Many of those who die are elderly patients .
Dr Cortellaro went on to say how coronavirus patients arrive on their own , and `` when they are about to die , they sense it '' .
`` They are lucid , they do not go into narcolepsy .
It is as if they were drowning , but with time to understand it , '' @ @ @ @ @ @ @ dying grandmother had recently asked her to see her granddaughter .
`` I pulled out the phone and called her on video .
They said goodbye .
Soon after she was gone .
`` By now I have a long list of video calls .
I call it a farewell list . ''
Italian doctors have been struggling with the rate of infected patients , and fears are mounting the national health system , considered one of the best in the world , may not be able to keep up with the disease @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Bergamo , officials have been forced to turn the chapel of a cemetery into a mortuary chamber as they can not cope with the number of people killed by coronavirus .
Bergamo , in the Lombardy region near Milan , is among the Italian towns worst affected by coronavirus .
It has more than 2,000 confirmed cases - recording a jump of over 300 cases in 24 hours - and almost 150 deaths from COVID-19 , the disease caused by coronavirus .
The chapel of All Saints , next to the city 's @ @ @ @ @ @ @ mortuary chamber , Milan newspaper Corriere della Sera and other Italian reports said .
An average of 40 coffins a day are kept there ahead of burial or cremation .
The adjacent cemetery has been closed to the public for the first time since the Second World War .
The crematorium works 24 hours a day , but even so can not cope with the high mortality rate , and families of the victims must often wait several days before their loved ones can be cremated , the reports said .
The whole @ @ @ @ @ @ @ gatherings and ceremonies , including masses and funerals , are banned - meaning victims ' families can not even bid farewell to their loved ones .
Many churches are closed , though a Rome cardinal has ordered them reopened in the capital .
: : Listen to the Daily podcast with Dermot Murnaghan on Apple Podcasts , Google Podcasts , Spotify , Spreaker .
The vast majority of cases are in the northern Lombardy region , where Bergamo is located .
A doctor in the town 's Papa Giovanni XXIII hospital , Roberto @ @ @ @ @ @ @ `` epicentre of a never-ending earthquake '' .
He told Italian newspaper La Repubblica that the majority of patients arrive at the hospital in the afternoon , and are often in such bad condition they need to be intubated or attached to a ventilator right away .
`` Every afternoon , it 's like a new tremor , and hospitals are overwhelmed , '' he said .
`` If we ca n't find more hospital beds , more doctors , more nurses , we wo n't be able to hold out for long @ @

A doctor has described the last moments of coronavirus patients, saying they remain lucid until the end and ask to talk to their loved ones by phone as they realise they are dying.
Doctor Francesca Cortellaro, from the San Carlo Borromeo hospital in Milan, is one of many medical staff in Italy to speak candidly about their struggle with coronavirus.
Many have shared harrowing tales and photos of exhausting shifts - and of the toll the battle is taking. One has likened the virus to an earthquake.
Dr Cortellaro told Italian newspaper Il Giornale: "You know what's most dramatic? Seeing patients dying alone, listening to them as they beg you to say goodbye to their children and grandchildren."
Key Points
Mass gatherings in the UK will be banned from next week under plans being drawn up by ministers
in the UK will be banned from next week under plans being drawn up by ministers The London Marathon is among a number of sporting events cancelled
is among a number of sporting events cancelled Anyone entering New Zealand will have to self-isolate for 14 days
will have to self-isolate for 14 days US President Donald Trump has declared the outbreak a national emergency
has declared the outbreak a More than 145,000 cases and almost 5,500 deaths have been declared worldwide, according to Johns Hopkins University
Italy has seen the worst coronavirus outbreak outside of China, with more than 800 deaths and the total number of people infected with COVID-19 standing at 12,462. Many of those who die are elderly patients.
Dr Cortellaro went on to say how coronavirus patients arrive on their own, and "when they are about to die, they sense it".
"They are lucid, they do not go into narcolepsy. It is as if they were drowning, but with time to understand it," he said.
She described how a dying grandmother had recently asked her to see her granddaughter.
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"I pulled out the phone and called her on video. They said goodbye. Soon after she was gone.
"By now I have a long list of video calls. I call it a farewell list."
Italian doctors have been struggling with the rate of infected patients, and fears are mounting the national health system, considered one of the best in the world, may not be able to keep up with the disease.
Please use Chrome browser for a more accessible video player 1:00 Inside Italy's coronavirus hospital
In the northern Italian town of Bergamo, officials have been forced to turn the chapel of a cemetery into a mortuary chamber as they cannot cope with the number of people killed by coronavirus.
Bergamo, in the Lombardy region near Milan, is among the Italian towns worst affected by coronavirus.
It has more than 2,000 confirmed cases - recording a jump of over 300 cases in 24 hours - and almost 150 deaths from COVID-19, the disease caused by coronavirus.
The chapel of All Saints, next to the city's cemetery, has been transformed into a mortuary chamber, Milan newspaper Corriere della Sera and other Italian reports said.
An average of 40 coffins a day are kept there ahead of burial or cremation.
The adjacent cemetery has been closed to the public for the first time since the Second World War.
The crematorium works 24 hours a day, but even so cannot cope with the high mortality rate, and families of the victims must often wait several days before their loved ones can be cremated, the reports said.
The whole of Italy is in lockdown. All gatherings and ceremonies, including masses and funerals, are banned - meaning victims' families cannot even bid farewell to their loved ones.
Many churches are closed, though a Rome cardinal has ordered them reopened in the capital.
:: Listen to the Daily podcast with Dermot Murnaghan on Apple Podcasts, Google Podcasts, Spotify, Spreaker.
The vast majority of cases are in the northern Lombardy region, where Bergamo is located.
A doctor in the town's Papa Giovanni XXIII hospital, Roberto Cosentini, has likened Lombardy to the "epicentre of a never-ending earthquake".
He told Italian newspaper La Repubblica that the majority of patients arrive at the hospital in the afternoon, and are often in such bad condition they need to be intubated or attached to a ventilator right away.
"Every afternoon, it's like a new tremor, and hospitals are overwhelmed," he said.
"If we can't find more hospital beds, more doctors, more nurses, we won't be able to hold out for long."


news--2020-03-13--Coronavirus: Foreign Office advises against travel to parts of Spain

The Foreign Office has advised against all but essential travel to certain regions in Spain .
The restricted areas are Madrid , La Rioja and the municipalities of La Bastida , Vitoria and Miranda de Ebro .
It comes after an almost 50 % increase of coronavirus cases in just 24 hours .
The total for Madrid and the surrounding region is 2,000 .
• Mass gatherings in the UK will be banned from next week under plans being drawn up by ministers • The London Marathon is among a number of sporting events cancelled • Anyone entering New Zealand @ @ @ @ @ @ @ • US President Donald Trump has declared the outbreak a national emergency • More than 145,000 cases and almost 5,500 deaths have been declared worldwide , according to Johns Hopkins University • Italy recorded 250 cases in a day , bringing its total to almost 18,000 Authorities have closed all schools , nurseries , universities , sports centres , theatres and day care centres for the elderly until further notice .
National museums such as El Prado and Museo Nacional Centro de Arte Reina Sofía have been closed and festivals and sporting events @ @ @ @ @ @ @ that bars , restaurants and shops would close , while El Independiente said this would not apply to supermarkets and pharmacies .
The government announced it would pool intensive care units and consider offers by hotel chains to transform rooms into sick wards .
Spain is now the second hardest hit European country next to Italy with 120 reported deaths associated with COVID-19 .
Some 56 are in Madrid .
Spanish media reported that the government is to declare a stare of emergency over the outbreak .
The current Spanish tally stands at @ @ @ @ @ @ @ from Thursday and seven times as many as on Sunday .
It has been reported that the surge in cases could be due to an International Women 's Day march which was attended by thousands of people on Sunday .
An FCO spokesman said airlines were continuing to run flights as normal to and from these areas , and the travel advice had been updated because they had been designated by the Spanish authorities as `` areas of community transmission '' .
The Foreign Office is not currently advising against travel to other @ @ @ @ @ @ @ British nationals in the country leave , as transport routes out remain open .
European Commission president Ursula von der Leyen said the EU will establish a €37bn investment initiative as part of a package of measures to cushion the bloc 's economies from the impact of coronavirus .
The EU will also guarantee €8bn in loans to 100,000 firms to support the corporate sector , Ms von der Leyen said .
`` I am convinced that the European Union can withstand this shock , '' she said .
`` But each member @ @ @ @ @ @ @ full responsibility and the European Union as a whole needs to be determined , coordinated and united . ''

The Foreign Office has advised against all but essential travel to certain regions in Spain.
The restricted areas are Madrid, La Rioja and the municipalities of La Bastida, Vitoria and Miranda de Ebro.
It comes after an almost 50% increase of coronavirus cases in just 24 hours. The total for Madrid and the surrounding region is 2,000.
Image: Quiet streets and closed bars in Madrid
Key Points
Mass gatherings in the UK will be banned from next week under plans being drawn up by ministers
in the UK will be banned from next week under plans being drawn up by ministers The London Marathon is among a number of sporting events cancelled
is among a number of sporting events cancelled Anyone entering New Zealand will have to self-isolate for 14 days
will have to self-isolate for 14 days US President Donald Trump has declared the outbreak a national emergency
has declared the outbreak a More than 145,000 cases and almost 5,500 deaths have been declared worldwide, according to Johns Hopkins University
Italy recorded 250 cases in a day, bringing its total to almost 18,000
Authorities have closed all schools, nurseries, universities, sports centres, theatres and day care centres for the elderly until further notice.
National museums such as El Prado and Museo Nacional Centro de Arte Reina Sofía have been closed and festivals and sporting events cancelled.
Spanish newspaper El Mundo wrote that bars, restaurants and shops would close, while El Independiente said this would not apply to supermarkets and pharmacies.
The government announced it would pool intensive care units and consider offers by hotel chains to transform rooms into sick wards.
Please use Chrome browser for a more accessible video player 2:30 COVID-19: The Scientific Advice
Spain is now the second hardest hit European country next to Italy with 120 reported deaths associated with COVID-19. Some 56 are in Madrid.
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Spanish media reported that the government is to declare a stare of emergency over the outbreak.
The current Spanish tally stands at 4,209, up by about 1,000 cases from Thursday and seven times as many as
on Sunday.
It has been reported that the surge in cases could be due to an International Women's Day march which was attended by thousands of people on Sunday.
An FCO spokesman said airlines were continuing to run flights as normal to and from these areas, and the travel advice had been updated because they had been designated by the Spanish authorities as "areas of community transmission".
The Foreign Office is not currently advising against travel to other areas of Spain, or suggesting that British nationals in the country leave, as transport routes out remain open.
Image: The famous Madrid landmark Puerta del Sol with few people visiting
European Commission president Ursula von der Leyen said the EU will establish a €37bn investment initiative as part of a package of measures to cushion the bloc's economies from the impact of coronavirus.
The EU will also guarantee €8bn in loans to 100,000 firms to support the corporate sector, Ms von der Leyen said.
"I am convinced that the European Union can withstand this shock," she said. "But each member state needs to live up to its full responsibility and the European Union as a whole needs to be determined, coordinated and united."


news--2020-03-12--Coronavirus: Cybercriminals target healthcare workers with email scam

Cybercriminal gangs are targeting healthcare professionals with phishing emails about `` coronavirus awareness '' - part of a wave of scams capitalising on the pandemic .
Sky News has seen a copy of an email scam sent to a number of healthcare organisations that pretends to be from each firm 's internal IT team .
The email - which has the subject `` ALL STAFF : CORONA VIRUS AWARENESS '' - tells employees that `` the institution is currently organising a seminar for all staff to talk about this deadly virus '' , asking them to click on a link @ @ @ @ @ @ @ clicking on it to a third-party website disguised as an Outlook web app .
Anyone who fills in that form ends up giving their details to the hackers .
Cybersecurity firm Mimecast 's head of data science Kiri Addison , who uncovered the scam , says the fraud is one of a `` steady stream '' of phishing emails sent since the coronavirus outbreak started - most likely from `` organised cybercriminal gangs '' - although she was unable to name the groups involved or the organisations affected .
`` There 's so @ @ @ @ @ @ @ just going to prey on people 's fears , '' she told Sky News .
Scams taking advantage of COVID-19 have become increasingly common since the beginning of the outbreak .
Last week , the National Fraud Intelligence Bureau ( NFIB ) issued an urgent warning after identifying 21 cases of fraud involving coronavirus in February , including 10 that conned people desperate to buy face masks .
Earlier this week , Mimecast identified another email scam , in which criminals posed as HMRC and offered victims a tax refund .
Other cybersecurity @ @ @ @ @ @ @ websites registered with names related to COVID-19 , which are used to steal information or infect their devices with malware .
`` As the impact of the virus spreads this activity is almost certain to increase in order to take advantage of individual 's fears and their increasing concern at this time , '' Carl Wearn , head of e-crime at Mimecast , told Sky News .
Ms Addison urged people to pay close attention to the provenance of their emails , but admitted that it was hard to stop fraudsters .
`` @ @ @ @ @ @ @ and falling for phishing all the time , '' she said .
`` Phishing is very effective . ''

Cybercriminal gangs are targeting healthcare professionals with phishing emails about "coronavirus awareness" - part of a wave of scams capitalising on the pandemic.
Sky News has seen a copy of an email scam sent to a number of healthcare organisations that pretends to be from each firm's internal IT team.
The email - which has the subject "ALL STAFF: CORONA VIRUS AWARENESS" - tells employees that "the institution is currently organising a seminar for all staff to talk about this deadly virus", asking them to click on a link to register.
Image: The fake email seen by Sky News which has been sent to staff
Image: Victims are taken to a third-party website disguised as Outlook Web App
The link takes anyone clicking on it to a third-party website disguised as an Outlook web app. Anyone who fills in that form ends up giving their details to the hackers.
Cybersecurity firm Mimecast's head of data science Kiri Addison, who uncovered the scam, says the fraud is one of a "steady stream" of phishing emails sent since the coronavirus outbreak started - most likely from "organised cybercriminal gangs" - although she was unable to name the groups involved or the organisations affected.
"There's so much uncertainty around coronavirus, they're just going to prey on people's fears," she told Sky News.
Please use Chrome browser for a more accessible video player 0:30 COVID-19 'much, much worse than Ebola'
Scams taking advantage of COVID-19 have become increasingly common since the beginning of the outbreak.
Last week, the National Fraud Intelligence Bureau (NFIB) issued an urgent warning after identifying 21 cases of fraud involving coronavirus in February, including 10 that conned people desperate to buy face masks.
Earlier this week, Mimecast identified another email scam, in which criminals posed as HMRC and offered victims a tax refund.
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Other cybersecurity companies also identified threats, such as websites registered with names related to COVID-19, which are used to steal information or infect their devices with malware.
"As the impact of the virus spreads this activity is almost certain to increase in order to take advantage of individual's fears and their increasing concern at this time," Carl Wearn, head of e-crime at Mimecast, told Sky News.
Please use Chrome browser for a more accessible video player 0:54 Johnson: 'Worst public health crisis for a generation'
Ms Addison urged people to pay close attention to the provenance of their emails, but admitted that it was hard to stop fraudsters.
"Generally we see people click on links and falling for phishing all the time," she said. "Phishing is very effective."


news--2020-03-13--Coronavirus: 'Surprised' scientists warn UK's measures don't go far enough

Boris Johnson 's new measures to protect the British public from the coronavirus have come into full force , but some scientists are warning his approach does not go far enough .
Yesterday , the prime minister confirmed the government is entering its second phase of the response to COVID-19 - moving from trying to contain the virus to delaying its spread .
Anyone with a new persistent cough or a high temperature will now have to self-isolate and stay at home for seven days , and Mr Johnson has urged schools to cancel planned trips abroad .
However , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to close schools , with Mr Johnson warning that scientific advice suggests `` this could do more harm than good '' .
Although ministers are `` considering '' a ban on major public events such as festivals and football matches , they are currently being allowed to go ahead as planned .
Some medical experts have praised the UK 's plans as `` balanced '' and `` sensible '' , but others have expressed surprise that tougher restrictions have not been brought into action now .
Professor Jimmy Whitworth of the London School @ @ @ @ @ @ @ `` Based on evidence from other countries , the most realistic approach to this is to initiate the strongest public health measures that will be supported by the general British public .
`` I am surprised that stronger measures have n't been introduced at this stage , but I anticipate that they will come in the next week or two . ''
The University of Nottingham 's Professor Jonathan Ball also warned that the government 's advice on self-isolation does n't go far enough , adding : `` There is emerging data that @ @ @ @ @ @ @ % of cases the infection will present with symptoms similar to a common cold .
`` This is serious as it means that based on government advice - which specifies persistent cough and raised temperature - most people who can potentially transmit will not be aware of the risk they pose to others and will not self-isolate . ''
Speaking to BBC Newsnight , former health secretary Jeremy Hunt described the coronavirus outbreak as a `` national emergency '' - adding he was `` personally surprised that we 're still allowing external visits @ @ @ @ @ @ @ : `` I think it is surprising and concerning that we 're not doing any of it at all when we have just four weeks before we get to the stage that Italy is at .
`` You would have thought that every single thing we do in that four weeks would be designed to slow the spread of people catching the virus . ''
Sir Patrick Vallance , the government 's chief scientific adviser , defended the UK 's action on coronavirus when compared to more drastic measures taken by other countries @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Sky News : `` We 've got a panel of world leading scientists across epidemiology , mathematical modelling , virology , clinicians , and we 're taking input from leading academics to try and come up with a plan that actually does what we want it to do .
`` It does n't mean the others are doing something wrong , in fact much of the advice , much of the actions - if you look at them - are trying to achieve the same thing .
`` That is to try to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ flatten it and broaden it , so you do n't end up with so much intense pressure on healthcare systems at one time .
`` That 's one aim ; to reduce transmission and try to make sure we end up with a broader epidemic , not a very sharp one that overloads the system .
`` The second aim , of course , is to protect the elderly and vulnerable and make sure , during that peak , they are protected as well as you can . ''
The University of Nottingham @ @ @ @ @ @ @ government 's approach so far - and suggested that cancelling all sporting events would increase the risk of Britons going to pubs where `` more significant close contact might occur '' .
The emeritus professor in the epidemiology of infectious diseases added : `` The plans are sensible , it is very easy to say more needs to be done , but there is little evidence to make any decision . ''
Yesterday , Mr Johnson warned that the coronavirus is the worst public health crisis in a generation - and said `` @ @ @ @ @ @ @ loved ones before their time '' .
The prime minister said measures that cause `` severe disruption across our country for many months '' will be rolled out , but it is vital they are not introduced too early .
So far , 10 people in the UK who have had COVID-19 have died , with the World Health Organisation declaring a global pandemic .
The number of confirmed cases in the UK reached 590 on Thursday - up by 134 in 24 hours .
: : Listen to the Daily podcast with @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Podcasts , Spotify , Spreaker .
But Sir Patrick said the actual number of people infected in the UK at the moment could be between 5,000 and 10,000 .
Mr Johnson has warned that the most dangerous period was still weeks away as he stressed that the `` lines of defence '' must be deployed at the right time to maximise their effect .
The prime minister explained : `` The most important task will be to protect our elderly and most vulnerable people during the peak weeks when there is the maximum @ @ @ @ @ @ @ when the NHS will be under the most pressure . ''
Professor Chris Whitty , England 's chief medical officer , said up to 80 % of all people in the UK could at some point get COVID-19 but cautioned that was currently an `` entirely speculative number '' .
New government advice published online said people should visit the NHS 111 website rather than calling the helpline if possible .
All those self-isolating at home should try to sleep alone and ask friends and family to help order food and other supplies @ @ @ @ @ @ @ only outside the door .
In Scotland , First Minister Nicola Sturgeon has announced gatherings of more than 500 people will be cancelled to ease pressure on the NHS .
Discussion between ministers and the opposition are already under way about emergency legislation .
The laws are likely to give the government power to relax lots of regulations , including allowing larger class sizes , changes to rules on care homes and allowing retired medical professionals to return to work .
Commons leader Jacob Rees-Mogg indicated they could start to be debated in @ @ @ @ @ @

Boris Johnson's new measures to protect the British public from the coronavirus have come into full force, but some scientists are warning his approach does not go far enough.
Yesterday, the prime minister confirmed the government is entering its second phase of the response to COVID-19 - moving from trying to contain the virus to delaying its spread.
Anyone with a new persistent cough or a high temperature will now have to self-isolate and stay at home for seven days, and Mr Johnson has urged schools to cancel planned trips abroad.
Please use Chrome browser for a more accessible video player 0:30 COVID-19 'much, much worse than Ebola'
However, the UK has stopped short of deciding to close schools, with Mr Johnson warning that scientific advice suggests "this could do more harm than good".
Although ministers are "considering" a ban on major public events such as festivals and football matches, they are currently being allowed to go ahead as planned.
Some medical experts have praised the UK's plans as "balanced" and "sensible", but others have expressed surprise that tougher restrictions have not been brought into action now.
Professor Jimmy Whitworth of the London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine said: "Based on evidence from other countries, the most realistic approach to this is to initiate the strongest public health measures that will be supported by the general British public.
"I am surprised that stronger measures haven't been introduced at this stage, but I anticipate that they will come in the next week or two."
Image: Arsenal manager Mikel Arteta has tested positive for the coronavirus
The University of Nottingham's Professor Jonathan Ball also warned that the government's advice on self-isolation doesn't go far enough, adding: "There is emerging data that suggests that in as many as 70% of cases the infection will present with symptoms similar to a common cold.
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"This is serious as it means that based on government advice - which specifies persistent cough and raised temperature - most people who can potentially transmit will not be aware of the risk they pose to others and will not self-isolate."
Image: Jeremy Hunt has said it is 'surprising and concerning' that large gatherings have not been cancelled
Speaking to BBC Newsnight, former health secretary Jeremy Hunt described the coronavirus outbreak as a "national emergency" - adding he was "personally surprised that we're still allowing external visits to care homes".
He said: "I think it is surprising and concerning that we're not doing any of it at all when we have just four weeks before we get to the stage that Italy is at.
"You would have thought that every single thing we do in that four weeks would be designed to slow the spread of people catching the virus."
Sir Patrick Vallance, the government's chief scientific adviser, defended the UK's action on coronavirus when compared to more drastic measures taken by other countries, such as Italy.
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He told Sky News: "We've got a panel of world leading scientists across epidemiology, mathematical modelling, virology, clinicians, and we're taking input from leading academics to try and come up with a plan that actually does what we want it to do.
"It doesn't mean the others are doing something wrong, in fact much of the advice, much of the actions - if you look at them - are trying to achieve the same thing.
"That is to try to reduce the peak of the epidemic, flatten it and broaden it, so you don't end up with so much intense pressure on healthcare systems at one time.
"That's one aim; to reduce transmission and try to make sure we end up with a broader epidemic, not a very sharp one that overloads the system.
"The second aim, of course, is to protect the elderly and vulnerable and make sure, during that peak, they are protected as well as you can."
The University of Nottingham's Professor Keith Neal also backed the government's approach so far - and suggested that cancelling all sporting events would increase the risk of Britons going to pubs where "more significant close contact might occur".
Please use Chrome browser for a more accessible video player 0:19 This is how COVID-19 can damage your lungs
The emeritus professor in the epidemiology of infectious diseases added: "The plans are sensible, it is very easy to say more needs to be done, but there is little evidence to make any decision."
Yesterday, Mr Johnson warned that the coronavirus is the worst public health crisis in a generation - and said "many more families are going to lose loved ones before their time".
The prime minister said measures that cause "severe disruption across our country for many months" will be rolled out, but it is vital they are not introduced too early.
So far, 10 people in the UK who have had COVID-19 have died, with the World Health Organisation declaring a global pandemic.
The number of confirmed cases in the UK reached 590 on Thursday - up by 134 in 24 hours.
:: Listen to the Daily podcast with Dermot Murnaghan on Apple Podcasts, Google Podcasts, Spotify, Spreaker.
But Sir Patrick said the actual number of people infected in the UK at the moment could be between 5,000 and 10,000.
Mr Johnson has warned that the most dangerous period was still weeks away as he stressed that the "lines of defence" must be deployed at the right time to maximise their effect.
The prime minister explained: "The most important task will be to protect our elderly and most vulnerable people during the peak weeks when there is the maximum risk of exposure to the disease and when the NHS will be under the most pressure."
Please use Chrome browser for a more accessible video player 3:16 How to contain a global pandemic
Professor Chris Whitty, England's chief medical officer, said up to 80% of all people in the UK could at some point get COVID-19 but cautioned that was currently an "entirely speculative number".
New government advice published online said people should visit the NHS 111 website rather than calling the helpline if possible.
All those self-isolating at home should try to sleep alone and ask friends and family to help order food and other supplies online or drop them off - but only outside the door.
In Scotland, First Minister Nicola Sturgeon has announced gatherings of more than 500 people will be cancelled to ease pressure on the NHS.
Please use Chrome browser for a more accessible video player 2:03 UK now in 'delay phase' - Nicola Sturgeon
Discussion between ministers and the opposition are already under way about emergency legislation.
The laws are likely to give the government power to relax lots of regulations, including allowing larger class sizes, changes to rules on care homes and allowing retired medical professionals to return to work.
Commons leader Jacob Rees-Mogg indicated they could start to be debated in the week beginning 23 March.


news--2020-03-13--Coronavirus: Local and mayoral elections postponed for a year

May 's local and mayoral elections will be postponed for a year because of the coronavirus pandemic .
Prime Minister Boris Johnson has taken the decision because the polls would have coincided with the peak of the COVID-19 outbreak , reports Sky 's deputy political editor Sam Coates .
Voters had been due to cast their ballots on 7 May in more than 100 local authorities .
• Mass gatherings in the UK will be banned from next week under plans being drawn up by ministers • The London Marathon is among a number of sporting events cancelled • Anyone @ @ @ @ @ @ @ for 14 days • US President Donald Trump has declared the outbreak a national emergency • More than 145,000 cases and almost 5,500 deaths have been declared worldwide , according to Johns Hopkins University • Italy recorded 250 cases in a day , bringing its total to almost 18,000 A government spokeswoman said : `` We will bring forward legislation to postpone local , mayoral and police and crime commissioner elections until May next year .
`` We will also work with the devolved administrations to ensure that they have the necessary powers @ @ @ @ @ @ @ comes after the Electoral Commission called for the elections to be put off until the autumn , a demand that was later backed by Labour .
The Local Government Association said the `` swift decision '' was `` very helpful '' .
`` Councils will now continue to put all of their efforts into supporting their local communities as the nation tackles COVID-19 , '' chairman Cllr James Jamieson said .
One of the contests affected is the race to be the next London mayor .
Independent Rory Stewart , who is challenging @ @ @ @ @ @ @ was the `` right decision '' .
He added : `` We should now move more rapidly to close gatherings , and schools ; extend the isolation period ; and restrict non-essential visits to care homes ( who have few back up options for patients if they have to close ) . ''
Lib Dem acting leader Sir Ed Davey said : `` It is the right decision to delay local elections but it is not clear why the government has decided to delay for a year rather than until autumn as the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ is the most significant delay to polling since the local and general elections of 2001 were suspended over the foot and mouth outbreak .
Health minister Nadine Dorries became the first MP to be diagnosed with COVID-19 earlier this week - and she is currently self-isolating .
A growing number of MPs are now self-isolating after displaying some symptoms or having had contact with individuals who have subsequently tested positive for coronavirus .
This includes an unnamed cabinet minister who came into contact with Ms Dorries .
Meanwhile , Home Office minister James @ @ @ @ @ @ @ 's interior minister Peter Dutton in Washington last week , where they both attended the same White House event .
Mr Dutton has since tested positive for COVID-19 .
Ms Dorries first showed symptoms last Thursday - the same day she attended the Downing Street event hosted by Mr Johnson to mark International Women 's Day .
It is understood the prime minister was not in close contact with Ms Dorries at the event and has no coronavirus symptoms .
The government has so far rejected suggestions that parliament could be shut down @ @ @ @ @ @ @ school and college tours to the Commons could be rescheduled and visitors prevented from entering parliament .
As it stands , there are 798 confirmed cases of coronavirus in the UK - an increase of 208 over the last 24 hours .
There have been 11 deaths linked to COVID-19 in the UK , with the first death in Scotland confirmed on Friday .
According to the Department of Health , as of 9am on Friday a total of 32,771 people had been tested , with 97.6 % found not to have the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ adviser told Sky News earlier that millions of Britons will need to contract coronavirus in order to control the impact of the disease , which is likely to return `` year on year '' .
On Thursday , the PM announced that the UK was moving to the `` delay '' phase of its response to COVID-19 .
Anyone with a new persistent cough or a high temperature will now have to self-isolate and stay at home for seven days , and schools are being urged to cancel planned trips abroad .
English @ @ @ @ @ @ @ fixtures until 3 April , although the government has not yet ordered the banning of mass gatherings .

May's local and mayoral elections will be postponed for a year because of the coronavirus pandemic.
Prime Minister Boris Johnson has taken the decision because the polls would have coincided with the peak of the COVID-19 outbreak, reports Sky's deputy political editor Sam Coates.
Voters had been due to cast their ballots on 7 May in more than 100 local authorities.
Please use Chrome browser for a more accessible video player 2:30 COVID-19: The scientific advice
Key Points
Mass gatherings in the UK will be banned from next week under plans being drawn up by ministers
in the UK will be banned from next week under plans being drawn up by ministers The London Marathon is among a number of sporting events cancelled
is among a number of sporting events cancelled Anyone entering New Zealand will have to self-isolate for 14 days
will have to self-isolate for 14 days US President Donald Trump has declared the outbreak a national emergency
has declared the outbreak a More than 145,000 cases and almost 5,500 deaths have been declared worldwide, according to Johns Hopkins University
Italy recorded 250 cases in a day, bringing its total to almost 18,000
A government spokeswoman said: "We will bring forward legislation to postpone local, mayoral and police and crime commissioner elections until May next year.
"We will also work with the devolved administrations to ensure that they have the necessary powers to do the same."
It comes after the Electoral Commission called for the elections to be put off until the autumn, a demand that was later backed by Labour.
The Local Government Association said the "swift decision" was "very helpful".
Please use Chrome browser for a more accessible video player 3:43 Coronavirus: Do UK measures go far enough?
"Councils will now continue to put all of their efforts into supporting their local communities as the nation tackles COVID-19," chairman Cllr James Jamieson said.
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One of the contests affected is the race to be the next London mayor.
Independent Rory Stewart, who is challenging Labour incumbent Sadiq Khan, said it was the "right decision".
He added: "We should now move more rapidly to close gatherings, and schools; extend the isolation period; and restrict non-essential visits to care homes (who have few back up options for patients if they have to close)."
Please use Chrome browser for a more accessible video player 4:16 The misinformation outbreak
Lib Dem acting leader Sir Ed Davey said: "It is the right decision to delay local elections but it is not clear why the government has decided to delay for a year rather than until autumn as the Electoral Commission advised."
The decision is the most significant delay to polling since the local and general elections of 2001 were suspended over the foot and mouth outbreak.
Health minister Nadine Dorries became the first MP to be diagnosed with COVID-19 earlier this week - and she is currently self-isolating.
Image: Nadine Dorries was diagnosed earlier this week. Pic: Ken McKay/ITV/REX/Shutterstock
A growing number of MPs are now self-isolating after displaying some symptoms or having had contact with individuals who have subsequently tested positive for coronavirus.
This includes an unnamed cabinet minister who came into contact with Ms Dorries.
Meanwhile, Home Office minister James Brokenshire is self-isolating after meeting with Australia's interior minister Peter Dutton in Washington last week, where they both attended the same White House event.
Mr Dutton has since tested positive for COVID-19.
Please use Chrome browser for a more accessible video player 3:07 PM defends efficacy of COVID-19 measures
Ms Dorries first showed symptoms last Thursday - the same day she attended the Downing Street event hosted by Mr Johnson to mark International Women's Day.
It is understood the prime minister was not in close contact with Ms Dorries at the event and has no coronavirus symptoms.
The government has so far rejected suggestions that parliament could be shut down amid the coronavirus pandemic.
However, school and college tours to the Commons could be rescheduled and visitors prevented from entering parliament.
As it stands, there are 798 confirmed cases of coronavirus in the UK - an increase of 208 over the last 24 hours.
There have been 11 deaths linked to COVID-19 in the UK, with the first death in Scotland confirmed on Friday.
According to the Department of Health, as of 9am on Friday a total of 32,771 people had been tested, with 97.6% found not to have the virus.
The government's chief scientific adviser told Sky News earlier that millions of Britons will need to contract coronavirus in order to control the impact of the disease, which is likely to return "year on year".
Please use Chrome browser for a more accessible video player 0:19 This is how COVID-19 can damage your lungs
On Thursday, the PM announced that the UK was moving to the "delay" phase of its response to COVID-19.
Anyone with a new persistent cough or a high temperature will now have to self-isolate and stay at home for seven days, and schools are being urged to cancel planned trips abroad.
English football authorities have also suspended top level fixtures until 3 April, although the government has not yet ordered the banning of mass gatherings.


news--2020-03-13--Coronavirus: More Hollywood films delayed as Disney closes all its theme parks

Hollywood studios are reacting to the global coronavirus pandemic by delaying the release of more huge film releases .
Disney has pushed back the release of its blockbuster remake of Mulan as the industry attempts to reduce the impact of the COVID-19 outbreak .
The film had been set to arrive in UK cinemas on 27 March and its stars gathered in London on Thursday for a scaled back European premiere .
However , shortly after the cast posed for pictures on the red carpet , Disney announced the film - a remake of the 1998 animated classic - had @ @ @ @ @ @ @ will now be released on an unspecified date later in the year , along with horror films The New Mutants and Antlers .
Some film industry analysts have reportedly estimated the outbreak could wipe £3.9bn off the global box office .
Shares in Cineworld in the UK dropped by 24 % on Thursday and the company has said the spread of coronavirus could make it unable to pay its debts in a worst-case scenario .
The upcoming releases of A Quiet Place 2 and the latest Fast and Furious movie , F9 , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , writer and director of A Quiet Place 2 , announced on Thursday that his film , a Paramount Pictures release , would not open next week as planned but be postponed to as yet-announced date .
Universal Pictures also announced that F9 wo n't open on 22 May as planned but in April next year .
`` One of the things I 'm most proud of is that people have said our movie is one you have to see together , '' Krasinksi said in a message on social media .
`` @ @ @ @ @ @ @ what 's going on in the world around us , now is clearly not the right time to do that . ''
The James Bond film No Time To Die , one of the year 's biggest releases , has been pushed back from April to November .
It 's not just Disney 's films which have been affected by the virus .
It is closing its California theme parks from Saturday until the end of the month , even though there have been no reported coronavirus cases at either Disneyland Park or @ @ @ @ @ @ @ World Resort in Florida and Disneyland Paris Resort will also be closing from Sunday until the end of the month , the Walt Disney Company announced .
Many British families will have had Easter breaks to the parks planned which they may now need to cancel or postpone if they can .
Restrictions on travel and large public events in some parts of the world mean many music stars are cancelling gigs due to coronavirus , including The Who , Billie Eilish and Madonna .

Hollywood studios are reacting to the global coronavirus pandemic by delaying the release of more huge film releases.
Disney has pushed back the release of its blockbuster remake of Mulan as the industry attempts to reduce the impact of the COVID-19 outbreak.
The film had been set to arrive in UK cinemas on 27 March and its stars gathered in London on Thursday for a scaled back European premiere.
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However, shortly after the cast posed for pictures on the red carpet, Disney announced the film - a remake of the 1998 animated classic - had been delayed.
Disney said the film will now be released on an unspecified date later in the year, along with horror films The New Mutants and Antlers.
Some film industry analysts have reportedly estimated the outbreak could wipe £3.9bn off the global box office.
Image: No Time To Die has been postponed until November
Shares in Cineworld in the UK dropped by 24% on Thursday and the company has said the spread of coronavirus could make it unable to pay its debts in a worst-case scenario.
The upcoming releases of A Quiet Place 2 and the latest Fast and Furious movie, F9, have also been postponed.
John Krasinski, writer and director of A Quiet Place 2, announced on Thursday that his film, a Paramount Pictures release, would not open next week as planned but be postponed to as yet-announced date.
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Universal Pictures also announced that F9 won't open on 22 May as planned but in April next year.
"One of the things I'm most proud of is that people have said our movie is one you have to see together," Krasinksi said in a message on social media.
Please use Chrome browser for a more accessible video player 0:30 COVID-19 'much, much worse than Ebola'
"Well due to the ever-changing circumstances of what's going on in the world around us, now is clearly not the right time to do that."
The James Bond film No Time To Die, one of the year's biggest releases, has been pushed back from April to November.
It's not just Disney's films which have been affected by the virus.
It is closing its California theme parks from Saturday until the end of the month, even though there have been no reported coronavirus cases at either Disneyland Park or Disney California Adventure Park.
Image: Tom Hanks and Rita Wilson have the virus. Pic: Tom Hanks
Walt Disney World Resort in Florida and Disneyland Paris Resort will also be closing from Sunday until the end of the month, the Walt Disney Company announced.
Many British families will have had Easter breaks to the parks planned which they may now need to cancel or postpone if they can.
Restrictions on travel and large public events in some parts of the world mean many music stars are cancelling gigs due to coronavirus, including The Who, Billie Eilish and Madonna.


news--2020-03-13--Coronavirus: Europe suffers a crisis of health and unity as outbreak takes hold

It has become one of the grim routines of recent life that we document daily rises in cases of coronavirus , and also of deaths .
It is like an awful scoreboard , where the numbers do nothing but climb across the world .
On the face of it , this is just one big depressing lump of numbers .
Scratch deeper , and those figures tell us some important stories .
But - warning - they 're not very happy ones .
The important thing is that there 's a pattern to these figures .
Over the past week-and-a-half @ @ @ @ @ @ @ reported in Italy has gone up every day .
Other than one day , when there was a problem with collecting the information , it has always gone up by between 20 % and 27 % .
On average , it goes up by something like 22 % .
Now , this is blunt stuff , not least because it does n't include unreported cases .
But it 's the best we 've got , so we have to live with it .
And it gives us a chance to compare Italy , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ else .
Look at the same period and you can see some stark differences .
The pace of growth in cases in Italy is serious but it 's much worse in other places .
In Spain , for instance , the number of new cases is going up by around 39 % per day .
In France , it 's more than 30 % .
In the UK , around 27 % .
Germany is also ahead of Italy .
So , in other words , the pace at which new cases are @ @ @ @ @ @ @ European countries than it is in Italy .
It 's just that Italy 's crisis started earlier , with a huge early rush that then slowed down .
: : Listen to the Daily podcast on Apple Podcasts , Google Podcasts , Spotify , Spreaker The one to look out for is Spain .
When you are in the world of exponential growth , things can get very big , very fast .
At the rate it has been going for the past ten days , Spain 's total number of cases is @ @ @ @ @ @ @ that rate continues then , from around 3,000 cases now , the country would have more than 80,000 in another 10 days .
Ten days after that , it would - in theory - reach beyond two million .
Now clearly the Spanish government will be doing what it can to stop that happening .
Data from Italy shows how the rate of growth fell away from an early peak , to stabilise at around 22 % .
But that has hardly stopped the nation from creaking under the pressure of an ever-growing @ @ @ @ @ @ @ data shows us is that Italy 's path is the one that everyone else is , to an extent , following .
Nine days ago , Italy had 3,000 cases of coronavirus - now , Spain , France and Germany all have about that amount .
It 's hard to believe that , in nine days , they wo n't be at least where Italy is now - with around 15,000 cases .
Particularly in the case of Spain , the number of cases may be considerably higher .
If this feels like @ @ @ @ @ @ @ that 's exactly what it is .
I 've travelled across Europe over the past couple of weeks and seen similar patterns .
I was in Milan at the very start of this outbreak , where people were still in a state of denial , still trying to carry on like normal .
Now the streets are empty , patrolled by police enforcing the quarantine .
In France earlier this week , I visited a town where five people had died of the virus and found empty streets .
The mayor down the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ he knew .
But in Paris , there was still almost no sign of crisis .
No masks , no closed schools .
Not until the president 's dramatic address to the nation , heralding the `` worst health crisis in a century '' .
For Europe , this is a crisis - of health , but also of unity .
The European Union is based on the idea of collective work and collaboration .
Yet these past few days have been marked by different policies in different countries , borders being closed @ @ @ @ @ @ @ of Lombardy , being stigmatised as carrying the burden of responsibility .
It will not be easy to forge a common path forward .
This will be a great challenge for Ursula von der Leyen and Charles Michel , presidents of the European Commission and European Council .
And all the time , the numbers tick up .
More cases , more deaths , more data , more uncertainty .
And , of course , more fear .

It has become one of the grim routines of recent life that we document daily rises in cases of coronavirus, and also of deaths.
It is like an awful scoreboard, where the numbers do nothing but climb across the world.
On the face of it, this is just one big depressing lump of numbers.
Scratch deeper, and those figures tell us some important stories. But - warning - they're not very happy ones.
The important thing is that there's a pattern to these figures.
Over the past week-and-a-half, the number of new cases being reported in Italy has gone up every day.
Other than one day, when there was a problem with collecting the information, it has always gone up by between 20% and 27%.
On average, it goes up by something like 22%.
Now, this is blunt stuff, not least because it doesn't include unreported cases.
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Image: A worker sanitises Ponte della Paglia bridge in Venice, Italy
But it's the best we've got, so we have to live with it.
And it gives us a chance to compare Italy, Europe's worst-hit nation, with everyone else.
Look at the same period and you can see some stark differences.
The pace of growth in cases in Italy is serious but it's much worse in other places.
In Spain, for instance, the number of new cases is going up by around 39% per day.
Please use Chrome browser for a more accessible video player 1:27 Elderly Italian man emotional over COVID-19
In France, it's more than 30%. In the UK, around 27%.
Germany is also ahead of Italy.
So, in other words, the pace at which new cases are being reported is greater in lots of European countries than it is in Italy.
It's just that Italy's crisis started earlier, with a huge early rush that then slowed down.
:: Listen to the Daily podcast on Apple Podcasts, Google Podcasts, Spotify, Spreaker
The one to look out for is Spain.
When you are in the world of exponential growth, things can get very big, very fast.
At the rate it has been going for the past ten days, Spain's total number of cases is almost doubling every two days.
If that rate continues then, from around 3,000 cases now, the country would have more than 80,000 in another 10 days.
Ten days after that, it would - in theory - reach beyond two million.
Now clearly the Spanish government will be doing what it can to stop that happening.
Data from Italy shows how the rate of growth fell away from an early peak, to stabilise at around 22%.
Image: A coronavirus patient is treated at an intensive care unit in Italy. Pic: Piazza Pulita
But that has hardly stopped the nation from creaking under the pressure of an ever-growing number of cases.
What all this data shows us is that Italy's path is the one that everyone else is, to an extent, following.
Nine days ago, Italy had 3,000 cases of coronavirus - now, Spain, France and Germany all have about that amount.
It's hard to believe that, in nine days, they won't be at least where Italy is now - with around 15,000 cases.
Particularly in the case of Spain, the number of cases may be considerably higher.
If this feels like a miserable acceptance of inevitability, then that's exactly what it is.
Please use Chrome browser for a more accessible video player 0:30 COVID-19 'much, much worse than Ebola'
I've travelled across Europe over the past couple of weeks and seen similar patterns.
I was in Milan at the very start of this outbreak, where people were still in a state of denial, still trying to carry on like normal.
Now the streets are empty, patrolled by police enforcing the quarantine.
In France earlier this week, I visited a town where five people had died of the virus and found empty streets.
The mayor down the road admitted he was frightened for people he knew.
But in Paris, there was still almost no sign of crisis.
No masks, no closed schools. Not until the president's dramatic address to the nation, heralding the "worst health crisis in a century".
For Europe, this is a crisis - of health, but also of unity.
Please use Chrome browser for a more accessible video player 4:16 The misinformation outbreak
The European Union is based on the idea of collective work and collaboration.
Yet these past few days have been marked by different policies in different countries, borders being closed and regions, notably the Italian area of Lombardy, being stigmatised as carrying the burden of responsibility.
It will not be easy to forge a common path forward.
This will be a great challenge for Ursula von der Leyen and Charles Michel, presidents of the European Commission and European Council.
And all the time, the numbers tick up.
More cases, more deaths, more data, more uncertainty. And, of course, more fear.


news--2020-03-12--Coronavirus: 'Populist' PM takes non-populist approach when it comes to pandemics

Coronavirus : 'Populist ' PM takes non-populist approach when it comes to pandemics Coronavirus : 'Populist ' PM takes non-populist approach when it comes to pandemics Boris Johnson the Brexit populist , or so the labelling goes .
His sidekick Michael Gove declared during the 2016 referendum that we 'd all had enough of experts who got things `` consistently wrong '' .
But our apparently `` populist '' prime minister is taking a studiously non-populist approach to the `` worst public health crisis for a generation '' .
Ever since coronavirus landed in the UK , he has followed @ @ @ @ @ @ @ feels at times that his unflappable chief medical officer Professor Chris Whitty and chief scientific adviser Sir Patrick Vallance are always by his side .
With an already alarmed public , anxiety can only grow now that the prime minister put it on record that he was powerless to stop this pandemic spreading across the UK , as he warned us that our loved ones are likely to die `` before their time '' as COVID-19 grips our nation .
: : Listen to All Out Politics on Apple Podcasts , Google Podcasts @ @ @ @ @ @ @ me at the Downing Street press conference on Thursday that the `` reasonable worst-case scenario '' was that 80 % of Britain 's 66 million population would be infected , with an expected mortality rate of 1 % or less .
That amounts , at worst , to half a million deaths .
Around the world , governments are taking drastic measures .
US President Trump has banned flights from the EU , French President Macron is closing schools on Monday while Italian Prime Minister Conti has put the whole of Italy on @ @ @ @ @ @ @ on Mr Johnson to be seen to taking similar actions to make us all perhaps feel a little more safe .
But those populist instincts are in abeyance as the prime minister sticks to the scientific advice despite some political and public backlash that it is too little , too late .
The government on Thursday issued new advice for us all as we move into a new phase of this epidemic , with community transmission increasing .
All those who feel unwell - with a persistent cough , a temperature or both @ @ @ @ @ @ @ days .
The elderly should avoid cruises and school children 's foreign trips are now banned .
But other measures in the government 's own coronavirus action plan such as shutting schools and curtailing big gatherings are still on the shelf - for now .
The experts have modelled the progression of the virus and are timing their interventions to prevent a flagging of enthusiasm at the peak of the spread .
Their central aim is to pull down the size of the peak ( which could come in 10 to 14 weeks @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the NHS has the most capacity .
Maximum strain is much better in the summer than in the winter when the health services are already chronically stretched .
The government also needs a proportion of the population to contract the virus in order to build up some immunity .
Totally suppressing it may well only serve to bring in a second wave later in the year when the NHS is under more strain from seasonal flu .
As the virus spreads , the experts will unleash new measures to try and slow and @ @ @ @ @ @ @ elderly and vulnerable to self-isolate , they will ask us to work from home , they might begin to stop big social gatherings or even , eventually , close schools .
The overall aim is to reduce the numbers at the peak of the virus by 20 % and delay that peak by two to three weeks , into the summer months .
But it all comes , of course , with great risks .
By accepting that the majority of the population should , over a period of weeks , be exposed @ @ @ @ @ @ @ risk that the NHS will become completely overwhelmed .
When the crisis is over , those experts - and perhaps the prime minister too - will either be asked why they went to such extreme measures over the course of the outbreak or why they did n't move fast enough early enough .
They may well be asked a bit of both .
Planning for a new , unknown pandemic , is never an exact science - however good our experts might be .
We are all about to step into the unknown @

Sky News' Beth Rigby says the UK is about to take a step into the unknown - and Boris Johnson wants the experts by his side.
Coronavirus: 'Populist' PM takes non-populist approach when it comes to pandemics
Boris Johnson the Brexit populist, or so the labelling goes.
His sidekick Michael Gove declared during the 2016 referendum that we'd all had enough of experts who got things "consistently wrong".
But our apparently "populist" prime minister is taking a studiously non-populist approach to the "worst public health crisis for a generation".
Ever since coronavirus landed in the UK, he has followed the advice of the experts.
It feels at times that his unflappable chief medical officer Professor Chris Whitty and chief scientific adviser Sir Patrick Vallance are always by his side.
With an already alarmed public, anxiety can only grow now that the prime minister put it on record that he was powerless to stop this pandemic spreading across the UK, as he warned us that our loved ones are likely to die "before their time" as COVID-19 grips our nation.
:: Listen to All Out Politics on Apple Podcasts, Google Podcasts, Spotify, Spreaker
Prof Whitty told me at the Downing Street press conference on Thursday that the "reasonable worst-case scenario" was that 80% of Britain's 66 million population would be infected, with an expected mortality rate of 1% or less. That amounts, at worst, to half a million deaths.
Around the world, governments are taking drastic measures.
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Please use Chrome browser for a more accessible video player 7:48 PM: 'Many more families will lose loved ones'
US President Trump has banned flights from the EU, French President Macron is closing schools on Monday while Italian Prime Minister Conti has put the whole of Italy on lockdown.
It all piles the pressure on Mr Johnson to be seen to taking similar actions to make us all perhaps feel a little more safe.
But those populist instincts are in abeyance as the prime minister sticks to the scientific advice despite some political and public backlash that it is too little, too late.
The government on Thursday issued new advice for us all as we move into a new phase of this epidemic, with community transmission increasing.
All those who feel unwell - with a persistent cough, a temperature or both - should stay at home for seven days. The elderly should avoid cruises and school children's foreign trips are now banned.
But other measures in the government's own coronavirus action plan such as shutting schools and curtailing big gatherings are still on the shelf - for now.
Image: The experts who have led the response may be questioned about their decisions
The experts have modelled the progression of the virus and are timing their interventions to prevent a flagging of enthusiasm at the peak of the spread.
Their central aim is to pull down the size of the peak (which could come in 10 to 14 weeks' time) against the point where the NHS has the most capacity.
Maximum strain is much better in the summer than in the winter when the health services are already chronically stretched.
The government also needs a proportion of the population to contract the virus in order to build up some immunity.
Totally suppressing it may well only serve to bring in a second wave later in the year when the NHS is under more strain from seasonal flu.
As the virus spreads, the experts will unleash new measures to try and slow and contain transmission: they will ask the elderly and vulnerable to self-isolate, they will ask us to work from home, they might begin to stop big social gatherings or even, eventually, close schools.
The overall aim is to reduce the numbers at the peak of the virus by 20% and delay that peak by two to three weeks, into the summer months.
But it all comes, of course, with great risks.
By accepting that the majority of the population should, over a period of weeks, be exposed to the virus there is the obvious risk that the NHS will become completely overwhelmed.
When the crisis is over, those experts - and perhaps the prime minister too - will either be asked why they went to such extreme measures over the course of the outbreak or why they didn't move fast enough early enough.
They may well be asked a bit of both.
Planning for a new, unknown pandemic, is never an exact science - however good our experts might be.
We are all about to step into the unknown.


news--2020-03-13--Coronavirus: Millions of Britons will need to contract COVID-19 for 'herd immunity'

Millions of Britons will need to contract coronavirus in order to control the impact of the disease which is likely to return `` year on year '' , the government 's chief scientific adviser has told Sky News .
Around 60 % of the UK population will need to become infected with coronavirus in order for society to have `` herd immunity '' from future outbreaks , Sir Patrick Vallance said .
Herd immunity is the resistance to a contagious disease within a population because enough people have become immune , and so it is harder for it to spread @ @ @ @ @ @ @ for coronavirus .
• Mass gatherings in the UK will be banned from next week under plans being drawn up by ministers • The London Marathon is among a number of sporting events cancelled • Anyone entering New Zealand will have to self-isolate for 14 days • US President Donald Trump has declared the outbreak a national emergency • More than 145,000 cases and almost 5,500 deaths have been declared worldwide , according to Johns Hopkins University • Italy recorded 250 cases in a day , bringing its total to almost 18,000 So @ @ @ @ @ @ @ who have had COVID-19 - the disease which develops from coronavirus - have died .
The number of confirmed cases in the UK reached 590 on Thursday - up by 134 in 24 hours , although Sir Patrick believes the actual number of people infected in the UK at the moment could be between 5,000 and 10,000 .
Sir Patrick described COVID-19 as a `` nasty disease '' but stressed most people would only experience a `` mild '' illness .
He described how a majority of the UK 's population of more @ @ @ @ @ @ @ infected with coronavirus for the risk of widespread future outbreaks to recede .
`` We think this virus is likely to be one that comes year on year , becomes like a seasonal virus , '' he told Sky News .
`` Communities will become immune to it and that 's going to be an important part of controlling this longer term .
`` About 60 % is the sort of figure you need to get herd immunity . ''
Despite suggestions the death rate from coronavirus could be around 1 % of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ how many might die was `` difficult '' because there may be many more people that have n't been detected yet .
`` That 's why some of the new tests that are being developed now are going to be so important , so we can really understand how this disease is spreading and we do n't have a handle on that yet , '' he added .
The World Health Organisation has declared a global pandemic following the spread of coronavirus across many countries .
Prime Minister Boris Johnson on Thursday confirmed @ @ @ @ @ @ @ of its response to COVID-19 - moving from trying to contain the virus to delaying its spread .
Anyone with a new persistent cough or a high temperature will now have to self-isolate and stay at home for seven days , while schools have been urged to cancel planned trips abroad .
Sir Patrick is helping to oversee the government 's response to coronavirus and defended the UK 's strategy in dealing with the disease .
Ministers are facing growing questions about why the UK is n't acting in a similar way to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ and Italy , who have taken measures ranging from banning large gatherings to quarantining the entire population .
Sir Patrick said the UK is `` a little bit behind '' where the coronavirus outbreak is in other countries due to early action in tracing and isolating those who are infected .
`` What we do n't want to do is to get into kneejerk reactions where you have to start doing measures at the wrong pace because something 's happened , '' he added .
`` So we 're trying to keep ahead @ @ @ @ @ @ @ lay out the path so people can see what the actions are that are being advised . ''
: : Listen to the Daily podcast with Dermot Murnaghan on Apple Podcasts , Google Podcasts , Spotify , Spreaker .
Sir Patrick also described Thursday 's action taken by Mr Johnson as `` a very big measure '' , adding : `` It 's going to have quite a big impact across a number of people , a number of households , a number of people .
`` I do n't think that 's @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Banning mass gatherings and isolating entire households are the next steps being considered by the government , Sir Patrick revealed .
But , he argued , most of the transmission of coronavirus occurs in small gatherings rather than larger gatherings .

Millions of Britons will need to contract coronavirus in order to control the impact of the disease which is likely to return "year on year", the government's chief scientific adviser has told Sky News.
Around 60% of the UK population will need to become infected with coronavirus in order for society to have "herd immunity" from future outbreaks, Sir Patrick Vallance said.
Herd immunity is the resistance to a contagious disease within a population because enough people have become immune, and so it is harder for it to spread.
There is currently no vaccine available for coronavirus.
Key Points
Mass gatherings in the UK will be banned from next week under plans being drawn up by ministers
in the UK will be banned from next week under plans being drawn up by ministers The London Marathon is among a number of sporting events cancelled
is among a number of sporting events cancelled Anyone entering New Zealand will have to self-isolate for 14 days
will have to self-isolate for 14 days US President Donald Trump has declared the outbreak a national emergency
has declared the outbreak a More than 145,000 cases and almost 5,500 deaths have been declared worldwide, according to Johns Hopkins University
Italy recorded 250 cases in a day, bringing its total to almost 18,000
So far, 11 people in the UK who have had COVID-19 - the disease which develops from coronavirus - have died.
The number of confirmed cases in the UK reached 590 on Thursday - up by 134 in 24 hours, although Sir Patrick believes the actual number of people infected in the UK at the moment could be between 5,000 and 10,000.
Sir Patrick described COVID-19 as a "nasty disease" but stressed most people would only experience a "mild" illness.
Image: Sir Patrick says most of population need to get coronavirus to achieve herd immunity
He described how a majority of the UK's population of more than 65 million would need to be infected with coronavirus for the risk of widespread future outbreaks to recede.
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"We think this virus is likely to be one that comes year on year, becomes like a seasonal virus," he told Sky News.
"Communities will become immune to it and that's going to be an important part of controlling this longer term.
"About 60% is the sort of figure you need to get herd immunity."
Despite suggestions the death rate from coronavirus could be around 1% of those infected, Sir Patrick said estimating how many might die was "difficult" because there may be many more people that haven't been detected yet.
"That's why some of the new tests that are being developed now are going to be so important, so we can really understand how this disease is spreading and we don't have a handle on that yet," he added.
Please use Chrome browser for a more accessible video player 3:16 How to contain a global pandemic
The World Health Organisation has declared a global pandemic following the spread of coronavirus across many countries.
Prime Minister Boris Johnson on Thursday confirmed the government is entering the second phase of its response to COVID-19 - moving from trying to contain the virus to delaying its spread.
Anyone with a new persistent cough or a high temperature will now have to self-isolate and stay at home for seven days, while schools have been urged to cancel planned trips abroad.
Sir Patrick is helping to oversee the government's response to coronavirus and defended the UK's strategy in dealing with the disease.
Please use Chrome browser for a more accessible video player 1:37 PM: Those with symptoms should isolate for seven days
Ministers are facing growing questions about why the UK isn't acting in a similar way to other European countries, such as France and Italy, who have taken measures ranging from banning large gatherings to quarantining the entire population.
Sir Patrick said the UK is "a little bit behind" where the coronavirus outbreak is in other countries due to early action in tracing and isolating those who are infected.
"What we don't want to do is to get into kneejerk reactions where you have to start doing measures at the wrong pace because something's happened," he added.
"So we're trying to keep ahead of it, we're trying to lay out the path so people can see what the actions are that are being advised."
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Sir Patrick also described Thursday's action taken by Mr Johnson as "a very big measure", adding: "It's going to have quite a big impact across a number of people, a number of households, a number of people.
"I don't think that's a trivial measure at all."
Banning mass gatherings and isolating entire households are the next steps being considered by the government, Sir Patrick revealed.
But, he argued, most of the transmission of coronavirus occurs in small gatherings rather than larger gatherings.


news--2020-03-13--Coronavirus: Tom Hanks and Rita Wilson update fans after testing positive for COVID-19

Tom Hanks and his wife Rita Wilson have posted an update from coronavirus quarantine , saying they are taking it `` one day at a time '' .
The much-loved Hollywood actor confirmed on Thursday that he and Wilson , both 63 , had tested positive for the virus .
In a post on Instagram , Hanks wrote : `` Hello folks .
@ ritawilson and I want to thank everyone here Down Under who are taking such good care of us .
`` We have COVID-19 and are in isolation so we do not spread it to anyone else @ @ @ @ @ @ @ it could lead to a very serious illness .
We are taking it one-day-at-a-time .
`` There are things we can all do to get through this by following the advice of experts and taking care of ourselves and each other , no ? ''
The post showed the couple smiling , with Hanks putting his arm around Wilson .
They have been isolated at the Gold Coast University Hospital in Australia , where Hanks was working on an upcoming Elvis Presley biopic .
Filming was shut down after the pair were diagnosed @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , writing : `` We felt a bit tired , like we had colds , and some body aches .
`` Rita had some chills that came and went .
Slight fevers too .
To play things right , as is needed in the world right now , we were tested for the coronavirus , and were found to be positive . ''
Baz Luhrmann , who is directing the upcoming Elvis film , was said to have broken the news himself to people working on the production .
The couple 's son @ @ @ @ @ @ @ on Twitter saying his parents were doing fine .
Hanks ' son Colin also thanked fans for their support and said his parents were receiving `` excellent care '' .
Hanks , a two-time Oscar winner and star of films including Forrest Gump , Toy Story and Saving Private Ryan , is one of the latest high-profile figures to test positive for COVID-19 .
Rita Wilson has starred in films including Sleepless In Seattle , It 's Complicated and The Story of Us .
: : Listen to the Daily podcast on Apple @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Spreaker Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau 's wife Sophie is said to be suffering `` mild '' symptoms from the virus and is being quarantined .
Mr Trudeau will also be self-isolating for two weeks .
Players at both Chelsea and Arsenal football clubs are self-isolating after two cases of coronavirus were confirmed within the teams .
Arsenal head coach Mikel Arteta and Chelsea player Callum Hudson-Odoi tested positive for the virus and will be quarantined .

Tom Hanks and his wife Rita Wilson have posted an update from coronavirus quarantine, saying they are taking it "one day at a time".
The much-loved Hollywood actor confirmed on Thursday that he and Wilson, both 63, had tested positive for the virus.
In a post on Instagram, Hanks wrote: "Hello folks. @ritawilson and I want to thank everyone here Down Under who are taking such good care of us.
Image: Tom hanks and his wife Rita Wilson at the Screen Actors Guild Awards in Los Angeles in January
"We have COVID-19 and are in isolation so we do not spread it to anyone else.
"There are those for whom it could lead to a very serious illness. We are taking it one-day-at-a-time.
"There are things we can all do to get through this by following the advice of experts and taking care of ourselves and each other, no?"
The post showed the couple smiling, with Hanks putting his arm around Wilson.
They have been isolated at the Gold Coast University Hospital in Australia, where Hanks was working on an upcoming Elvis Presley biopic.
Filming was shut down after the pair were diagnosed.
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Hanks made the announcement on Twitter, writing: "We felt a bit tired, like we had colds, and some body aches.
"Rita had some chills that came and went. Slight fevers too. To play things right, as is needed in the world right now, we were tested for the coronavirus, and were found to be positive."
Baz Luhrmann, who is directing the upcoming Elvis film, was said to have broken the news himself to people working on the production.
Please use Chrome browser for a more accessible video player 1:00 Prince Charles avoids handshakes
The couple's son, Chet, later posted a video on Twitter saying his parents were doing fine.
Hanks' son Colin also thanked fans for their support and said his parents were receiving "excellent care".
Hanks, a two-time Oscar winner and star of films including Forrest Gump, Toy Story and Saving Private Ryan, is one of the latest high-profile figures to test positive for COVID-19.
Rita Wilson has starred in films including Sleepless In Seattle, It's Complicated and The Story of Us.
:: Listen to the Daily podcast on Apple Podcasts, Google Podcasts, Spotify, Spreaker
Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau's wife Sophie is said to be suffering "mild" symptoms from the virus and is being quarantined.
Mr Trudeau will also be self-isolating for two weeks.
Players at both Chelsea and Arsenal football clubs are self-isolating after two cases of coronavirus were confirmed within the teams.
Arsenal head coach Mikel Arteta and Chelsea player Callum Hudson-Odoi tested positive for the virus and will be quarantined.


news--2020-03-13--Coronavirus: Premier League and all other top-level UK football fixtures suspended

Games in the Premier League and all other top-level UK football fixtures have been suspended until 3 April at the earliest because of the coronavirus pandemic .
It comes after English football chiefs met to discuss their response to the coronavirus outbreak , as Arsenal head coach Mikel Arteta and Chelsea star Callum Hudson-Odoi were diagnosed with COVID-19 .
Three Leicester City players are also being tested for COVID-19 , while Everton announced on Thursday that one first-team player is self-isolating for seven days after reporting a high temperature .
The Merseyside club said no other members of the squad @ @ @ @ @ @ @ has been closed to players and staff as a precaution .
Bournemouth have announced five of their employees , including goalkeeper Artur Boruc , are self-isolating having displayed symptoms consistent with the virus .
Games in the English Football League , the three divisions below the Premier League , will also be suspended until the same date .
England 's two friendlies later this month at Wembley , the Women 's Super League and FA Women 's Championship have also been postponed .
The decision was revealed in a joint announcement from the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , Women 's Super League and Women 's Championship .
`` This action , which will be kept under constant review , has been taken due to the increasing numbers of clubs taking steps to isolate their players and staff because of the COVID-19 virus , '' a statement said .
`` It will also apply to all England team fixtures at every level and all FA competitions including the FA Cup and the Women 's FA Cup , along with academy and youth team matches .
`` The decision is being made @ @ @ @ @ @ @ self-isolation and the impact on facilities .
Given the steps being taken across clubs , there is no alternative but for today 's action .
`` However , all parties are committed at this time to trying to complete this season 's domestic fixture programme and are liaising to establish appropriate options to do so . ''
The Premier League has said its aim is to reschedule the postponed matches when it is safe to do so .
In Scotland , matches have been suspended until `` further notice '' .
This means @ @ @ @ @ @ @ and Celtic at Ibrox has been postponed .
Meanwhile , European football 's governing body UEFA has announced that all Champions League and Europa League matches scheduled for next week have been postponed .
Other top-flight leagues in Italy , Spain , the Netherlands , Portugal and Ireland suspended matches earlier this week as the outbreak spreads across Europe .
Spanish side Barcelona have suspended all first-team activity after taking advice from their medical staff .
English football had been told to carry on as normal by the government which said the risk @ @ @ @ @ @ @ low .
The government 's advice on mass gatherings in England and Wales has not changed , despite the UK moving to the `` delay '' phase of its coronavirus response on Thursday .
However , the spread of COVID-19 among competitors has forced the hand of the footballing authorities .
The COVID-19 pandemic has seen a number of sports tournaments and competitions put on hold around the world as well .
• The London Marathon , due to take place on 26 April , has been postponed until 4 October • Scotland @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Italy v England in the final round of the Guinness Six Nations have all been postponed ; • England 's cricket tour of Sri Lanka has been cut short ; • The NBA basketball season has been put on hold ; • As have all of the US PGA 's scheduled golf tournaments for the next three weeks ; • Two more tournaments on golf 's European Tour have also been cancelled , bringing the total to five ; • The ATP has announced a six-week suspension of the men 's professional tennis @ @ @ @ @ @ @ safety issues '' ; • NASCAR will be holding its race events in Atlanta ( 15 March ) and Miami ( 22 March ) without fans ; • The NHL has paused the ice hockey season , with 189 games still remaining .
The Stanley Cup play-offs were due to start next month .

Games in the Premier League and all other top-level UK football fixtures have been suspended until 3 April at the earliest because of the coronavirus pandemic.
It comes after English football chiefs met to discuss their response to the coronavirus outbreak, as Arsenal head coach Mikel Arteta and Chelsea star Callum Hudson-Odoi were diagnosed with COVID-19.
Three Leicester City players are also being tested for COVID-19, while Everton announced on Thursday that one first-team player is self-isolating for seven days after reporting a high temperature.
Image: Mikel Arteta and Callum Hudson-Odoi have both tested positive for COVID-19
The Merseyside club said no other members of the squad were self-isolating, while its training ground has been closed to players and staff as a precaution.
Bournemouth have announced five of their employees, including goalkeeper Artur Boruc, are self-isolating having displayed symptoms consistent with the virus.
Please use Chrome browser for a more accessible video player 3:43 PM : 'Families will lose loved ones before their time'
Games in the English Football League, the three divisions below the Premier League, will also be suspended until the same date.
England's two friendlies later this month at Wembley, the Women's Super League and FA Women's Championship have also been postponed.
Image: A deserted Stadium of Light, home ground of League One Sunderland
The decision was revealed in a joint announcement from the Football Association, Premier League, EFL, Women's Super League and Women's Championship.
"This action, which will be kept under constant review, has been taken due to the increasing numbers of clubs taking steps to isolate their players and staff because of the COVID-19 virus," a statement said.
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"It will also apply to all England team fixtures at every level and all FA competitions including the FA Cup and the Women's FA Cup, along with academy and youth team matches.
"The decision is being made purely on the number of cases requiring self-isolation and the impact on facilities. Given the steps being taken across clubs, there is no alternative but for today's action.
"However, all parties are committed at this time to trying to complete this season's domestic fixture programme and are liaising to establish appropriate options to do so."
Please use Chrome browser for a more accessible video player 0:30 COVID-19 'much, much worse than Ebola'
The Premier League has said its aim is to reschedule the postponed matches when it is safe to do so.
In Scotland, matches have been suspended until "further notice".
This means Sunday's Old Firm clash between Rangers and Celtic at Ibrox has been postponed.
Please use Chrome browser for a more accessible video player 3:16 How to contain a global pandemic
Meanwhile, European football's governing body UEFA has announced that all Champions League and Europa League matches scheduled for next week have been postponed.
Other top-flight leagues in Italy, Spain, the Netherlands, Portugal and Ireland suspended matches earlier this week as the outbreak spreads across Europe.
Spanish side Barcelona have suspended all first-team activity after taking advice from their medical staff.
English football had been told to carry on as normal by the government which said the risk of catching COVID-19 in a stadium was low.
The government's advice on mass gatherings in England and Wales has not changed, despite the UK moving to the "delay" phase of its coronavirus response on Thursday.
However, the spread of COVID-19 among competitors has forced the hand of the footballing authorities.
The COVID-19 pandemic has seen a number of sports tournaments and competitions put on hold around the world as well.
Other sporting events affected include:


news--2020-03-13--Coronavirus: New cases recorded in Wales as No 10 prepares to ban mass gatherings

There are now 60 confirmed cases of coronavirus in Wales - an increase of 22 in the last 24 hours .
Eleven people have died in the UK after contracting COVID-19 , the disease caused by coronavirus , and yesterday afternoon it was announced that the number of confirmed infections across the country had reached 798 .
Dr Chris Williams , incident director for Public Health Wales , said officials were now identifying and contacting `` close contacts '' of the new cases in Wales .
It comes as the UK government plans to introduce emergency laws next week to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ people in an attempt to curb the spread of coronavirus .
A Whitehall source said the government has drafted emergency legislation to stop mass gatherings and compensate organisations .
The laws could also give police and immigration officers the power to detain people if they are suspected of being infected and the ability to direct schools to stay open , The Times reported .
The newspaper said the laws could remain in place for two years .
• The London Marathon is among a number of sporting events cancelled • Anyone entering New @ @ @ @ @ @ @ days • US President Donald Trump has declared the outbreak a national emergency • More than 145,000 cases and almost 5,500 deaths have been declared worldwide , according to Johns Hopkins University • Italy recorded 250 cases in a day , bringing its total to almost 18,000 So far , ministers have resisted a move to ban mass gatherings even though some major sporting events including the London Marathon and all Premier League matches have already been postponed .
Seven Premier League games and 33 Football League fixtures were due to be played @ @ @ @ @ @ @ round of Six Nations fixtures .
The Whitehall source said : `` Ministers are working with the chief scientific adviser and chief medical officer on our plan to stop various types of public event , including mass gatherings , beginning next week .
: : Listen to the Daily podcast on Apple Podcasts , Google Podcasts , Spotify , Spreaker '' We are also talking to businesses and other bodies about the timing of moving towards much more widespread working from home . ''
The Republic of Ireland is to close all schools @ @ @ @ @ @ @ like museums , while Scotland has banned gatherings of more than 500 .
Irish deputy prime minister Simon Coveney criticised the UK government this week for allowing the Cheltenham Festival to go ahead .
Tens of thousands of horse racing fans attended Prestbury Park for the showpiece event despite the global coronavirus pandemic .
The Whitehall source said the government , in dealing with coronavirus , has been `` concerned '' about the burden that large events put on public services including the NHS and police .
The source added : `` We @ @ @ @ @ @ @ government the powers it needs to deal with coronavirus , including powers to stop mass gatherings and compensate organisations .
We will publish this legislation next week . ''
Prime Minister Boris Johnson introduced new measures on Thursday as the government 's coronavirus response escalated to the second phase - moving from trying to contain the virus to delaying its spread .
Anyone with a new persistent cough or a high temperature will now have to self-isolate and stay at home for seven days , and schools are being urged to cancel planned @ @ @ @ @ @ @ scientific adviser , Sir Patrick Vallance , said the government 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 .
He told Sky News around 60 % of the UK population will need to become infected with coronavirus in order for society to have such immunity .
Sir Patrick said some of the social distancing measures put in place , including self-isolating for seven days if symptoms develop , were `` actually quite @ @ @ @ @ @ @ a special coronavirus programme at 6.30pm tonight , with experts answering your questions # AskSkyNews

There are now 60 confirmed cases of coronavirus in Wales - an increase of 22 in the last 24 hours.
Eleven people have died in the UK after contracting COVID-19, the disease caused by coronavirus, and yesterday afternoon it was announced that the number of confirmed infections across the country had reached 798.
Dr Chris Williams, incident director for Public Health Wales, said officials were now identifying and contacting "close contacts" of the new cases in Wales.
It comes as the UK government plans to introduce emergency laws next week to ban mass gatherings of more than 500 people in an attempt to curb the spread of coronavirus.
Please use Chrome browser for a more accessible video player 2:30 COVID-19: The scientific advice
A Whitehall source said the government has drafted emergency legislation to stop mass gatherings and compensate organisations.
The laws could also give police and immigration officers the power to detain people if they are suspected of being infected and the ability to direct schools to stay open, The Times reported.
The newspaper said the laws could remain in place for two years.
In other developments:
Low cost airline Jet2 cancels all flights to Spain
cancels all flights to Spain The London Marathon is among a number of sporting events cancelled
is among a number of sporting events cancelled Anyone entering New Zealand will have to self-isolate for 14 days
will have to self-isolate for 14 days US President Donald Trump has declared the outbreak a national emergency
has declared the outbreak a More than 145,000 cases and almost 5,500 deaths have been declared worldwide, according to Johns Hopkins University
Italy recorded 250 cases in a day, bringing its total to almost 18,000
So far, ministers have resisted a move to ban mass gatherings even though some major sporting events including the London Marathon and all Premier League matches have already been postponed.
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Seven Premier League games and 33 Football League fixtures were due to be played today, as well as the final round of Six Nations fixtures.
The Whitehall source said: "Ministers are working with the chief scientific adviser and chief medical officer on our plan to stop various types of public event, including mass gatherings, beginning next week.
:: Listen to the Daily podcast on Apple Podcasts, Google Podcasts, Spotify, Spreaker
"We are also talking to businesses and other bodies about the timing of moving towards much more widespread working from home."
The Republic of Ireland is to close all schools and childcare facilities and other public spaces like museums, while Scotland has banned gatherings of more than 500.
Irish deputy prime minister Simon Coveney criticised the UK government this week for allowing the Cheltenham Festival to go ahead.
Please use Chrome browser for a more accessible video player 2:06 COVID-19: Ireland response
Tens of thousands of horse racing fans attended Prestbury Park for the showpiece event despite the global coronavirus pandemic.
The Whitehall source said the government, in dealing with coronavirus, has been "concerned" about the burden that large events put on public services including the NHS and police.
The source added: "We have drafted emergency legislation to give the government the powers it needs to deal with coronavirus, including powers to stop mass gatherings and compensate organisations. We will publish this legislation next week."
Please use Chrome browser for a more accessible video player 3:43 PM : 'Families will lose loved ones before their time'
Prime Minister Boris Johnson introduced new measures on Thursday as the government's coronavirus response escalated to the second phase - moving from trying to contain the virus to delaying its spread.
Anyone with a new persistent cough or a high temperature will now have to self-isolate and stay at home for seven days, and schools are being urged to cancel planned trips abroad.
The UK's chief scientific adviser, Sir Patrick Vallance, said the government 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.
He told Sky News around 60% of the UK population will need to become infected with coronavirus in order for society to have such immunity.
Please use Chrome browser for a more accessible video player 2:13 What is herd immunity?
Sir Patrick said some of the social distancing measures put in place, including self-isolating for seven days if symptoms develop, were "actually quite extreme".
Sky News will broadcast a special coronavirus programme at 6.30pm tonight, with experts answering your questions #AskSkyNews