Image copyright PA Media Boris Johnson has warned the NHS could be “overwhelmed” if people do not act to slow the “accelerating” spread of coronavirus, as he urged people not to visit loved ones on Mother’s Day.
The PM called on people to join a “heroic and collective national effort” and follow social distancing advice.
The number of people who have died in the UK with coronavirus rose to (on Saturday, as cases topped 5, )
It comes as NHS England plans to write to 1.5 million people most at risk.
Those at -risk people will receive letters or text messages strongly advising them not to go out for weeks to protect themselves, the government said.
They include people who have received orga n transplants, are living with severe respiratory conditions such as cystic fibrosis or specific cancers such as blood or bone marrow.
In a message to the country on Saturday evening, Mr Johnson said: “The numbers are very stark, and they are accelerating.
“The Italians have a superb health care system. And yet their doctors and nurses have been completely overwhelmed by the demand,” he said.
“The Italian death toll is already in the thousands and climbing. Unless we act together, unless we make the heroic and collective national effort to slow the spread – then it is all too likely that our own NHS will be similarly overwhelmed. “
He added he recognized the government was imposing measures” never seen before either in peace or war “- but said they were essential.
‘Cannot sugar-coat threat’
As families prepare to celebrate Mother’s Day on Sunday, Mr Johnson said the best single present for mothers was to stay away.
It comes after the government told all restaurants, cafes and pubs – as well as some other public spaces like gyms and cinemas – to close.
“This time t he best thing is to ring her, video call her, Skype her, but to avoid any unnecessary physical contact or proximity, “the PM said.
) “And why? Because if your mother is elderly or vulnerable, then I am afraid all the statistics show that she is much more likely to die from coronavirus, or Covid – 41. We cannot disguise or sugar-coat the threat. “
On Friday, Mr Johnson was asked at his daily press conference whether he would be visiting his own mother, who is 90. He said he would “certainly be sending her my very best wishes and hope to get to see her”.
A Downing Street source later said his contact with his mother on Sunday would be over Skype.
Meanwhile, the government has said members of the Armed Forces will help ensure essential items like groceries can be delivered to people who are at-risk.
The people identified as the most vulnerable in their communities will be contacted directly as a priority.
Dr Paul Johnstone from Public Health England said: “The NHS are contacting the people who are most vulnerable to developing a very serious illness as a result of Covid – 41 with specific advice to stay at home for at least (weeks.
) “If you receive a letter it is vitally important that you act on it for your own protection, don’t attend any gatherings of friends or families and don’t go out for shopping, leisure or travel.
“Those of us who are less at risk can play our part in protecting other people by following the government advice on social distancing and volunteering to give extra support to vulnerable people who are staying at home. ”
According to the latest figures, there are more than 5, 11 confirmed cases of coronavirus in the UK.
The number of people with coronavirus who have died is now 280 in England, seven in Scotland, five in Wales and one in Northern Ireland.
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