GPs told to switch to digital consultations to combat Covid-19

Telling those with a high temperature or cough to self-isolate for a week will have the “biggest impact” in the fight against coronavirus, the UK’s chief science adviser says.

Sir Patrick Vallance said the new advice was a “big intervention”, amid criticism of the government’s plan to combat the virus.

The UK has moved from “containing” the coronavirus to “delaying” it.

But an ex-health secretary criticised the lack of more stringent measures.

There have been 596 confirmed cases across the country, but health officials have said they believe the actual number of people infected could be between 5,000 and 10,000.

In total, 10 people have now died in the UK with the virus.