The battle plan stops short of predicting how many people would be infected in an epidemic in the UK.   Worst case scenario modelling suggests 80% of people can become infected when there is a new virus like this. 

  But officials believe it will not be this high. # bbc news uk-51718917  #Coronavirus The evidence suggests just over half of people infected develop symptoms and 1% of those infected could die. The elderly and those with existing health conditions are the most at risk.   If there is a widespread transmission - which seems highly likely at this stage - it could take two or three months to peak. The peak would last two or three weeks and about 50% of people who become infected could become infected in those peak weeks.   There would then be a period of two or three months of declining cases, although the battle plan acknowledges there could be multiple waves.   

The government is likely to use its most drastic measures at its disposal just ahead of the peak in an attempt to flatten it.   Meanwhile, Chancellor Rishi Sunak has ordered Treasury officials to work up plans to support the public health response, businesses and the economy in his Budget on 11 March.   Shadow health secretary Jonathan Ashworth has said Labour will seek to work "constructively" with the government on the issue of coronavirus.   However, he has called for emergency legislation to ensure those working in the gig economy are guaranteed sick pay, and for the government to provide emergency funding to support the NHS through the outbreak.   Mr Hancock told MPs that people who needed to self-isolate to protect others were entitled to sick pay.   He added that resources had been increased to the NHS, but did not rule out the government taking such action if needed.   In other developments:   European markets have climbed for a second day after fears over coronavirus affected shares, and Bank of England governor Mark Carney said policymakers stand ready to support the British economy Mayor of London Sadiq Khan said there were currently no plans to postpone the London Marathon nor to restrict public transport England's Six Nations game against Wales on Saturday and Scotland's against France on Sunday will go ahead, however England prop Mako Vunipola has gone into self-isolation as a coronavirus precaution and will not join the squad G7 finance ministers have said they will use "all appropriate policy tools" to tackle the economic impact of the virus The Tokyo 2020 Olympic Games could be postponed to the end of the year, according to the country's Olympic minister As of Tuesday morning, the Department of Health said 13,911 people had been tested in the UK, of which 13,860 were negative.   The outbreak originated in China's Hubei province in December before spreading globally.