Boris Johnson has been accused of not acting quickly enough to tackle coronavirus.
The PM warned many Brits will die from the outbreak, but he refused to shut schools or ban public gatherings – as medical chiefs revealed up to 10,000 may now be infected.
Senior Tory Jeremy Hunt last night warned Mr Johnson’s slow response to the coronavirus crisis could plunge the NHS into chaos as it struggles to cope with the rapidly rising number of cases.
The former Health Secretary told of his shock at the PM’s latest reaction to the outbreak, while medical chiefs fear the real number of infected Brits is between 5,000 and 10,000.
Mr Johnson had warned many people could die of the disease and called it the “worst public health crisis for a generation” – but refused to close schools or ban large gatherings.
England’s Chief Medical Officer Professor Chris Whitty said anyone with a persistent cough or high temperature must immediately self-isolate for a week to slow its spread.
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The public was also warned by Deputy Chief Medical Officer Jenny Harries they could be putting themselves more at risk of catching coronavirus by wearing face masks because it could “actually trap the virus” and lead to them breathing it in.
But Mr Johnson was accused of doing too little, too late and Mr Hunt insisted countries that have acted quicker, closing schools and introducing social distancing, have the disease under more control.
He spoke after medical chiefs suggested the population would suffer coronavirus “fatigue” if they are put in lockdown and ordered to stay away from each other too soon.
Mr Hunt said: “Many people will be surprised and concerned that we are not moving sooner. And the reason is because the one thing we do have now is evidence of countries that appear to have been strikingly successful in turning back the tide of the virus.
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“The places that succeeded are the ones that moved earliest to social distancing, trying to keep the most vulnerable people away from places where they could catch the virus.
“I’d like to see the modelling that really says people are going to tire of social distancing in a national and international emergency of this nature.
“The point of taking drastic measures is to slow the onslaught on the NHS. So 5% of the population get the virus, and 5% of those people need an intensive care bed that’s over 150,000 people who will need intensive care and we only have 4,000 beds.
“The evidence from around the world is that countries that acted earlier on social distancing have had more success.”
Former regional director of public health for North West England, Professor John Ashton added: “It’s pathetic. We have a superficial Prime Minister who has got no grasp of public health. Our lot are behaving like 19th-century colonialists playing a five-day game of cricket.”
Dr Jenny Vaughan of The Doctors’ Association said she feared “we will be burying our colleagues” as medical staff on the front line step up their war on the virus.
But Mr Johnson insisted the Government was doing the right thing. He said anyone with a cough or cold who self-isolated for seven days would “help us delay and flatten the peak, squash that sombrero”.
The PM was referring to a graph in which the sombrero’s peak represents the number of total cases expected in the UK if the public does not heed the medical advice.
If it can be flattened however, the cases will be spread out over a longer period of time and will keep the patient load below the NHS’s surge capacity.
The PM yesterday officially moved from the “contain” to “delay” phase of its attempts to battle against the pandemic – as the number of confirmed cases rose to 596.
There were two more deaths, bringing the number to 10.
At a No10 press conference, attended by his chief aide Dominic Cummings, Mr Johnson said of the coronavirus: “Some people compare it to seasonal flu, alas that is not right. Due to the lack of immunity this disease is more dangerous. It is going to spread further. I must level with the public, many more families are going to lose loved ones before their time.
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“The measures that I have discussed today… are the most powerful defensive lines. We think it’s very important to maintain public trust and confidence in what we are doing, always to be guided by the best possible scientific advice.”
The peak of the outbreak will hit the UK in up to 14 weeks’ time, in late May to early June, with millions affected.
Mr Johnson revealed other measures to tackle the virus.
He said school trips abroad should be stopped, while people aged over 70 with serious medical conditions should not go on cruises.
Non-essential elective operations would be postponed to free up the NHS to handle the crisis.
Those staying at home with mild symptoms are advised not to call 111 as it could prevent those in serious need getting through. The elderly and infirm, who are at risk from the virus, will be told to stay at home when the outbreak takes off – but not just yet.
The PM insisted there was no need to close schools now as scientific advice suggested it could do more harm than good – although that could change if the disease spreads.
NHS staff with children could be forced to stay off work to look after them leaving the service even more stretched. But schools in Italy, Spain, France and Ireland are due to close to stop the virus spreading to pupils, teachers and parents.
Schools in New York’s Manhattan, Staten Island, and the Bronx will close from Monday for four days.
Mayor Bill de Blasio has declared a state of emergency yesterday as cases of coronavirus soared to 95 in the city.
Families in Britain are not being advised to cancel summer holidays as health chiefs hope the worst will have passed by then.
The Government is considering cancelling major gatherings such as sport or pop concerts. Health chiefs said that while the scientific advice showed it would have “little effect on spread” it could ease the burden on public services.
Chancellor Rishi Sunak, who visited Leeds General Infirmary, held an emergency summit with the Bank of England and bank chiefs on providing support for small businesses hit by the outbreak.
UEFA has called an emergency meeting for next Tuesday to discuss whether the Champions League, Europa League and Euro 2020 can continue. Donald Trump slapped a 30-day travel ban on continental Europe, but the president excluded the UK and Ireland as are “they are doing a good job” fighting coronavirus.
Labour ’s leadership result could be announced behind closed doors on April 4 because of the outbreak.
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