Coronavirus: it’s the story that has been dominating the headlines for weeks – and is likely to do so for months to come. 

Almost every day, new reports are emerging about how many people have been infected by Covid-19, what the government is doing to tackle the outbreak and how ordinary Brits are dealing with the threat of the virus. 

Amid all this, it can be hard to keep up with the vital updates. Here are five things you should know about the coronavirus outbreak this morning. 

1. The number of UK coronavirus cases has now reached 85 

A total of 85 people have now tested positive for Covid–19 in the UK since the outbreak began. 

The figures represent the biggest day-on-day increase.

England’s chief medical officer, Professor Chris Whitty, said: “As of 9am this morning 32 further patients in England have tested positive for Covid-19.

“Twenty-nine patients were diagnosed who had recently travelled from recognised countries or from recognised clusters which were under investigation.

“Three additional patients contracted the virus in the UK and it is not yet clear whether they contracted it directly or indirectly from an individual who had recently returned from abroad. This is being investigated and contact tracing has begun.

“The total number of confirmed cases in England is now 80. Following previously reported confirmed cases in Northern Ireland, Wales and Scotland, the total number of UK cases is 85.”

As of 9am on Tuesday, almost 14,000 people in the UK had been tested for the virus. 

On Wednesday, it was announced that the London Book Fair – held at Olympia – had been cancelled “following the escalation of Covid-19 coronavirus in Europe”. 

To date, more than 93,500 coronavirus cases have been recorded around the globe, while around 3,200 people have died. 

2. Chinese social media companies censored messages about coronavirus 

Chinese social media platforms began censoring references to coronavirus and criticism of the government’s handling of the outbreak as early as December, according to a new report. 

Cyber research group Citizen Lab said phrases such as “Wuhan unknown pneumonia” and “Wuhan seafood market” were blocked on Chinese messenger app WeChat and the video streaming service YY before officials began acknowledging the severity of the outbreak.

Meanwhile, following the death of Dr Li Wenliang – who was warned by police to “stop spreading rumours” when he tried to raise the alarm about the virus late last year – combinations of the words “Li Wenliang”, “central government”, “virus” and “epidemic” were censored. 

The group – which is based in Toronto – also found evidence that criticism of President Xi Jinping, local officials and coronavirus policy was blocked. 

Citizen Lab said the findings suggested companies “received official guidance” on how to manage content about the virus in the early stages of the outbreak. 

Chinese social media companies are subject to strict laws requiring them to censor content that “undermines social stability” or is critical of the central government, controls that have tightened under Xi.

3. Retired doctors and nurses “don’t want to return to the NHS to battle coronavirus”

On Tuesday, the government revealed its battle plan for tackling coronavirus – including bringing recently-retired doctors and nurses back to the NHS to help deal with an outbreak. 

However, “scores” of retired health workers have told the Guardian they don’t want to go back to work, arguing that it could impact their physical and mental health. 

Of the 120 former medics who responded to the newspaper’s callout, 71 said they didn’t want to return to the health service. 

“After the way I was treated I would rather shove a rusty six-inch nail up my backside than return to my old job,” said a 67-year-old former staff nurse said. 

Just 16 people said they would return to the NHS without reservations. 

4. “Absolutely no reason to panic buy food”, says government adviser

There is “absolutely no reason” for Brits to panic buy food or supplies because of coronavirus fears, according to the government’s chief scientific adviser. 

The advice came after Ocado warned that people are placing larger orders than usual and other supermarkets worked up contingency plans.

In some places, supermarket and pharmacy shelves have been cleared out of antibacterial gel and other supplies.

But Sir Patrick Vallance said measures would be taken if homes were put under quarantine and appropriate steps taken for places such as care homes.

Speaking to reporters as the government’s battle plan was launched, Vallance said: “I think the advice is that there is absolutely no reason to be doing any panic buying of any sort or going out and keeping large supplies of things.

“Clearly there will need to be measures in cases of household quarantine for making sure food is in the right place at the right time but we imagine that could be a rolling case of household quarantine if that measure becomes necessary, and clearly things will need to be in place for care homes and so on if that decision is made.”

5. Police could pause murder investigations in a severe Covid-19 outbreak

A number of contingency plans have been designed by the government in case the UK is hit by a severe Covid-19 outbreak. 

These plans extend to the police, who would focus on responding to serious crimes and “maintaining public order” if forces were depleted by the virus, it was revealed yesterday. 

According to the Guardian, this could mean that homicide investigations that are not time-critical could be postponed, as long as there was no increase in threat or risk. 

Meanwhile, the newspaper reported that senior police officers and government officials have discussed rationing services.

Under some proposals, police would only respond to serious 999 calls such as life-threatening crimes, domestic violence, sexual violence and homicides.