This England

Boris Johnson wins the 2019 General Election and prepares for Government. Covid 19 emerges in Wuhan and cases rise in China, then spread across Asia and to Europe. Boris prepares for Britain leaving the European Union while scientists monitor the spread of Covid. Dominic Cummings makes plans to shake up the Civil Service and reform how the Government operates. Boris spends time at Chevening and Chequers as Covid spreads around the world and storms hit the UK. The situation in Italy escalates as hospitals in the north struggle with Covid cases, meanwhile the first cases are reported in the UK.

The UK prepares for rising Covid 19 cases, hospitals and care homes make plans on how to deal with the pandemic. Boris attends COBRA meeting as Patrick Vallance and Chris Whitty outline covid cases data and present estimated fatality rates. Boris makes various media appearances to discuss Covid plans as cases continue to rise around the world and the situation worsens in Italy. Big sporting events go ahead as planned while scientific organisations urge that measures are brought in to contain the spread of the virus. Cabinet discusses potential lockdown, Cummings is told UK isn’t as far behind Italy as first thought.

As Covid cases rise, care homes seek guidance on testing staff and residents who have been in contact with the virus. Carrie and Boris host a baby shower at Chequers as WHO and scientists stress importance of testing. Department of Health discuss testing capacity across the country and a target of 25,000 tests per day. Hospitals and care homes continue to try and plan for impending Covid crisis, Landermeads care home plans to lockdown ahead of Government advice. Covid cases rise and we see deaths in hospitals and care homes. The Government introduces a lockdown after slow implementation of other restrictions.

Lockdown begins in the UK as Cabinet discusses setting up a temporary Nightingale hospital at the Excel Centre in East London. More people are hospitalised and die as a result of Covid 19. Boris feels unwell and tests positive, meanwhile Mary Wakefield also falls ill and Dom decides to take his family to Durham to isolate. The situation in care homes and hospitals continues to get worse as deaths rise. Dom and Mary recover from illness as the Department of Health tries to fix PPE supply issues. Boris’ symptoms worsen and Carrie suggests he might need to go to hospital.

A jogger sees Cummings and his family in Durham as more and more people fall ill with Coronavirus. Boris is taken to St Thomas’ hospital as his Covid symptoms persist. Care homes and hospitals struggle to cope with the number of Covid cases and deaths. The Government discusses contingency plans as Boris’ symptoms worsen and he is taken to ICU. Guardian journalist Matthew Weaver investigates reports that Dom Cummings has been spotted in Durham. Boris’ health improves and he is released from hospital and goes to Chequers with Carrie to rest and recover.

Boris continues his recovery from Covid at Chequers, with physio sessions and a new diet. The Department of Health pushes for 100,000 tests per day and makes plans to source PPE. Journalist Pippa Crerar also begins to investigate reports that Dominic Cummings was seen in Durham. Boris returns to Downing Street as the Government starts to make plans to ease lockdown restrictions. Meanwhile Carrie gives birth. The Cummings Durham story breaks and Dom is forced to hold a press conference to address the breach of lockdown regulations. Boris reflects on the first wave of the pandemic before a final archive montage brings us up to the present day.