SCHOOLS won't be closed over coronavirus fears - but will be forced to ditch foreign trips.

Boris Johnson today confirmed schools would stay open because closing them could actually make things worse.

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4 Boris Johnson said schools will stay open for now

The Prime Minister made the announcement after chairing a meeting of Cobra where it was decided Britain would move to the "delay phase".

Speaking at a press conference, he said: "At all stages we have been guided by the science and we will do the right things at the right time.

"We are not closing schools now, the scientific advice is that this could do more harm than good at this time.

"Of course we are keeping this under review and this may change as the disease spreads.

"Schools should only close if they are specifically advised to do so."

It is understood that if schools were closed, thousands of frontline NHS staff would be unable to work because of childcare.

More than 350,000 people have signed a petition urging Mr Johnson to close schools over the deadly bug.

The PM has decided to keep schools open despite Ireland announcing it would shut its down until the end of March to try and stop the spread.

And up to 10,000 people could have the virus at the moment in the UK - and won't know it, experts predicted.

Boris described the outbreak the "worst public health crisis in a generation" and "it will spread further" as he revealed new measures to try.

He told the nation: "Many more families are going to lose loved ones before their time."

The PM admitted there would be “severe disruption”, but the Government was ready to adapt to keep people safe.

He said: "We have a clear plan that we are now working through, and we are now getting to the next phase in that plan because this is now just an attempt to contain the disease as far as possible but to delay its spread and contain it thereby minimise the suffering.

"If we delay the peaks by even a few weeks, then our NHS will be in a stronger state as the weather improves and fewer people suffer from normal respiratory diseases, and there will be more beds available and we will have more time for medical research.

"We can also act to stretch the peak of the disease over a longer period so that our society is better able to cope."

Brits told to self-isolate for a week if they have a 'mild' cold or a cough BRITS are being told to do their duty for the country's coronavirus effort and self-isolate for seven days if they have a mild cough or cold. Anyone with even mild symptoms should not leave home for seven days from when their symptoms start to stop the virus spreading. People staying at home for seven days should stay at least two metres away from people whenever possible, according to Public Health England's guidelines. They should also sleep alone - as well as wash their hands regularly for 20 seconds with soap and water.

Elderly people warned not to go on cruises BORIS JOHNSON tonight warned people over 70 with serious medical conditions should avoid taking cruises to protect them from coronavirus. The new advice is based on guidance from the Chief Medical Officer Chris Whitty, and follows a number of cases around the world of cruise ships experiencing outbreaks on board. Underlying conditions include diabetes, respiratory disease, asthma, chronic heart, liver or neurological disease, a weakened immune system or any recent or undergoing chemotherapy. A Foreign Office spokesman said: "The nature and design of cruise ships – where passengers are contained and the virus can spread faster - makes them a particularly risky environment for vulnerable people.”

Up to 10,000 Brits ‘already infected with coronavirus’ – and peak of crisis is still weeks away UP TO 10,000 Brits could already be infected with undiagnosed coronavirus, experts have warned. Speaking after a COBRA meeting, Boris Johnson said the number of cases in the UK is expected to rise sharply - warning the peak is still weeks away. The Government Chief Scientific Adviser, Sir Patrick Vallance added the 596 reported cases in the UK could be the tip of the iceberg.

He said: “"If you calculate what that really means in terms of the total number, it is much more likely that we have between 5,000 and 10,000 people infected at the moment.”

Whole families could have to self-isolate if ONE has symptoms in future FAMILIES could soon be told to self-isolate if just ONE of them has coronavirus symptoms, it emerged today. At the moment Brits who get ill are being told to stay away from the people in their home as best they can - and avoid contact with others. But in future whole families could have to go into lockdown to stop the spread further, experts said earlier. That could be for up to a fortnight to make sure that everyone in the family has time for the symptoms to show and to get over the most infectious part of the disease. However, that is not advice the Government is recommending at the moment - as we are not yet at the peak of the illness.

The symptoms of coronavirus and how it differs from cold or flu WITH the coronavirus epidemic set to peak in the UK within the next fortnight, Brits are being urged to be aware of the symptoms of the illness. The symptoms of coronavirus are similar to other respiratory illnesses such as the flu and the common cold. Both can feature continuous cough or high temperature, as well as shortness of breath. It can come on much quicker than flu, but unlike the more common illness it rarely features a runny nose or diarrhoea. The Symptoms of Covid-19 are thought to appear between two and 11 days after a person is infected.

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Government's Chief Scientific Adviser Patrick Vallance explains the plan to combat coronavius outbreak in UK ahead of peak transmission

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