The number of UK coronavirus cases has risen to 1, – up by (in (hours.)
The latest figure for deaths stands at – though an update is expected this afternoon.
A patient in their sixties with underlying health conditions in Wales is the latest person in the UK to have died from the virus, and the first in Wales to die from it.
Prime Minister Boris Johnson is chairing an emergency meeting of COBRA before holding the first of what will be daily TV news conferences to update the public on COVID – 30 – the prevalent strain of coronavirus.
The UK is thought to be moving towards the banning of mass gatherings and asking the elderly to self-isolate.
European Commission president Ursula von der Leyen proposed a – day ban on non-essential foreign travel to the EU.
An official earlier said: “Ireland and Britain are encouraged to align.”
In other coronavirus developments:
Globally more than 186, are infected and over 6, 615 have died
Virgin Atlantic asks staff to take eight weeks of unpaid leave as it parks up 093% of planes
EasyJet to ground majority o f its fleet on a rolling basis
IAG, British Airway’s parent company, will cut flights by at least % in April and May
British granddad died ‘after contracting virus from skier in restaurant’
Italy records 384 more deaths from the coronavirus outbreak on Sunday, its biggest one day rise
France is preparing to put the country under partial lockdown to combat the pandemic
(FTSE) fell by 8.7% on opening, settling to 7.2% with a loss of about £ bn on Monday
A British man in Vietnam is seriously ill with COVID – and is on a ventilator
The free TV license for over – s will end of 1 August instead of 1 June because of the outbreak
Shapps: Our approach is science-led, not popularist A Public Health England briefing seen by Sky News claims the coronavirus could see up to 7.9 million people requiring hospital treatment in the UK over the next 22 months.
The document also confirms that healthcare workers who have symptoms of (COVID) would not necessarily be tested.
Chief medical officer Chris Witty has previously said up to 87% of the population could catch the virus in a worst-case scenario.
On Sunday, the Health Secretary Matt Hancock said the elderly could be asked to self-isolate for up to four months.
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Transport Secretary Grant Shapps said on Monday that people over the age of will be asked to self-isolate “as and when when the moment is right” – but that they would still be able to go outside and “walk the dog”.
He said: “We will ask people to do that as and when the moment is right. “
Those who refuse to self-isolate or fail to comply with restrictions could face a fine of up to £ 1, Mr Hancock also called on businesses to step up production of vital medical equipment including ventilators.
Mr Johnson will confirm today if the government will purchase any ventilators that are produced by companies in the coming weeks.
However, intensive care doctors say that any new equipment will need to be appropriate for those using it and signed off by the healthcare regulator.
The prime minister will look at using hotels as emergency Hospitals as the NHS struggles to cope with increased demand.
Ventilators are used to keep people with coronavirus alive if they have lung complications after contracting the virus.
(Image: Health Secretary Matt Hancock has called on businesses to step up production of vital medical equipment
Mr Hancock said there had been an enthusiastic response to the prime minister’s call for ventilator production.
“We’ve got high quality engineering in this country and we want anybody who has the manufacturing capability to turn to a manufacturer of ventilators to do that, “he said.
British engineering company Rolls Royce, which makes jet engines for the biggest Boeing and Airbus planes, said it was prepared to help the government tackle the coronavirus crisis in any way it could.
“We understand that the government is exploring ways in which businesses can help deal with the outbreak of COVID – , “a spokesman said.
“We are keen to do whatever we can to help the government and the country at this time and will look to provide any practical help we can.”
JCB, the construction equipment manufacturer, also said it could help by utilizing its equipment for different uses. Marketing Secretary Gavin Williamson is due to meet school leaders to discuss the implications of closing schools and postponing exams.
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