The "worst public health crisis for a generation" is here, but the UK government has so far refused to close schools and put a ban on large scale public events due to the coronavirus - for now.

Prime minister Boris Johnson outlined the latest "scientific and medical" information this afternoon and warned that the cornavirus will "continue to spread."

In a stark warning he said that many families will lose loved ones to the virus, and made a special message to the elderly population.

But, schools will not be closed as the PM said that could do "more harm than good at this stage."

That goes against the view over the Irish Sea, where Taoiseach Leo Varadkar closed all schools, colleges and childcare centres.

In a statement at 10 Downing Street, Boris Johnson said: "It's clear that coronavirus, Covid-19 will continue to spread."

"We've done what can be done to contain this disease and the number of cases will rise sharply.

"This is the worst public health crisis for a generation. Alas it is not right to compare it to seasonal flu it is more dangerous and it will spread further.

"I must level with the British public, many more families are going to lose loved ones before their time.

"We have a clear plan that we are working through and we are now on the next phase of our plan."

That means the delay phase of the four-point plan is now active with further measures put in place to try and postpone the worst effects of the disease.

"If we delay the peak, even by a few weeks our NHS will be in a stronger state," Mr Johnson added.

"The most dangerous period is not now, but weeks away depending on how far the disease spreads."

Medical advice is for anyone with a new and continuous cough or temperature to stay at home for the next seven days.

According to government experts that will reduce the peak of the epidemic to allow the NHS to cope and increase the delay period and allow for counter measures.

New evidence shows that the virus is at its most virulent in the first four days of showing symptoms and that people with only mild symptoms can spread the condition to others who may be affected more.

"From tomorrow, if you have coronavirus symptoms you should stay at home," Mr Johnson said.

"In the next few weeks we are likely to go further, and ask anyone in a household that has had symptoms to stay at home, but we are not there yet."

Government advice is not to call 111 with mild and minor symptoms but only to call the service when symptoms begin to get worse.

The advice is also that the UK is currently four weeks away from being in a similar situation to Italy in terms of the "scale of the outbreak."  The UK is also behind both Germany and France.

There are currently six known cases of Covid-19 in Gloucestershire, with two linked cases in Tetbury and two linked cases in Cheltenham. There is one case in both the Tewkesbury and Gloucester area.

However there is no need for the banning of attending large-scale public events such as Premier League football fixtures and other mass gatherings or shutting schools and colleges.

School trips abroad should be cancelled and anyone elderly with an underlying medical condition is being advised not to go on a cruise.

"We are considering banning major events such as sporting fixtures," Mr Johnson added.

"At all stages we are being guided by the science and we will do the right thing at the right time. We are not, repeat not, closing schools now.

"The scientific advice is that this could do more harm than good at this stage.

"Schools should only closed if they are specifically told to do so.

"I urge people, who think they have potential symptoms to stay at home.

"I want to speak directly to older people, as this disease is particularly dangerous to you even though the vast majority will experience a mild to moderate illness.

"The most important task will be to protect our elderly and most vulnerable people during the peak weeks when there is the maximum risk of exposure to the disease and when the NHS will be under the most pressure.

"So the most dangerous period is not now but some weeks away depending on how fast it spreads."

"We're going to need to mobilise millions of people to help and support one another. The government will do all we can to help and support you during this period.

"We will continue to provide - as soon as we have it - as much clear scientific and medical information as we have.

"it is still vital to wash our hands and lastly, of course, if things seem tough now we will get through this epidemic, just as we have got through many tough experiences before."