Published 24 January 2020
Last updated 20 March 2020 — see all updatesFrom:Department of Health and Social Care and Public Health England

Contents

  1. What to do if you have symptoms
  2. Number of cases
  3. Risk level
  4. Recent government action
  5. Further information

Go to NHS.UK/coronavirus for information about the virus and how to protect yourself.

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Video: How to wash your hands properly

What to do if you have symptoms

Stay at home for 7 days if you have either:

  • a high temperature
  • a new continuous cough

if you live with other people, they should stay at home for 14 days from the day the first person got symptoms.

This will help to protect others in your community while you are infectious.

Do not go to a GP surgery, pharmacy or hospital.

You do not need to contact NHS 111 to tell them you’re staying at home.

Testing for coronavirus is not needed if you’re staying at home.

Read the guidance about staying at home.

Number of cases

As of 9am on 20 March 2020, 66,976 people have been tested in the UK, of which 62,993 were confirmed negative and 3,983 were confirmed positive.

As of 1pm, 177 patients in the UK who tested positive for coronavirus (COVID-19) have died.

Cases identified in England

Confirmed cases in each local authority and NHS region are published by Public Health England (PHE).

Risk level

The risk to the UK has been raised to high.

Recent government action

The government published its coronavirus action plan on 3 March.

On 10 February, the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, Matt Hancock, announced strengthened legal powers to protect public health.

The Health Protection (Coronavirus) Regulations 2020 have been put in place to reduce the risk of further human-to-human transmission in this country by keeping individuals in isolation where public health professionals believe there is a reasonable risk an individual may have the virus.

Further information

Coronavirus (COVID-19): UK government response

Travel advice: coronavirus (COVID-19)

Coronavirus (COVID-19): guidance for health professionals and other organisations