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Coronavirus: fifth of UK workers ‘could be off sick when outbreak peaks’
- The number of infections in Britain jumped to 51 as officials warned that in the worst case scenario, 80 per cent of the population could become infected
- Meanwhile, a fourth person has died of Covid-19 in France
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Up to one fifth of employees could be off work in Britain when the coronavirus outbreak peaks, the government said on Tuesday outlining a new action plan.
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Britain had 51 confirmed cases of Covid-19 as of 9am, an increase of 12 in 24 hours, as Prime Minister Boris Johnson warned the count was “highly likely” to keep rising.
In a press conference with his chief medical and scientific advisers at Downing Street, Johnson unveiled the steps the government would take if coronavirus takes hold in Britain.
These include asking people to work from home, reducing the number of large gatherings such as football matches and shutting schools.
“In a stretching scenario, it is possible that up to one fifth of employees may be absent from work during peak weeks,” the plan said.
The pressure on emergency services could see police concentrate on only the most serious crimes, with hospitals both delaying operations and bringing retired health care staff back to work.
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