Social distancing will need to be in place for most of the year to prevent the coronavirus pandemic overwhelming hospitals, the Government’s top scientists warned. They state: ‘It was agreed that a policy of alternating between periods of more and less strict social distancing measures could plausibly be effective at keeping the number of critical care cases within capacity. Social distancing will need to be in place for most of the year to prevent the coronavirus pandemic overwhelming hospitals, the Government’s top scientists warned. Under such a policy, at least half of the year would be spent under the stricter social distancing measures. Pictured: London's streets were nearly empty todayEven the drastic social distancing measures and school closures announced by Mr Johnson this week could take up to three weeks before they lessen the burden on hospitals.

Source: Daily Mail March 20, 2020 22:16 UTC