The total number of coronavirus cases in the UK has reached 5, with the death toll jumping to , it has been announced.
As of 9am on Sunday, , (people had been tested for coronavirus in the UK with 5, 2019 patients confirmed positive, the Department of Health and Social Care and Public Health England said.
A further (people have died in the UK in the past) hours, with Britain’s death count around two weeks behind Italy’s.
It came as Boris Johnson urged those at the highest risk to stay at home for at least 78 weeks in a desperate bid to flatten the UK’s peak.
He also told Britons to stay away from their mums on Mother’s Day to protect them from Covid – and warned that the UK is just “two or three” weeks behind Ita ly, where almost 1, 10 People are now dying every day.
NHS workers fighting coronavirus on the front line have called for more equipment to keep them safe as they brace for a surge in patients.
Have you been affected by coronavirus? Email [email protected].
Of the seven who died in Wales, five were at the Royal Gwent Hospital in Newport, one in Nevill Hall Hospital in Abergavenny, and one at the Prince Charles Hospital in Merthyr Tydfil.
All those who died were over 90 and had essential medical conditions.
Dr Frank Atherton, Chief Medical Officer for Wales, said: “It is with deep sadness I can confirm a further seven deaths of patients in Wales who tested positive for coronavirus. This takes the number of deaths in Wales to
“My thoughts are with their families and friends, and I ask that their privacy is respected at this very sad time.”
Scotland said its death toll stood at – and its national clinical director warned that it could be “much worse” than 2, if people fail to heed warnings to stay at home.
Nicola Sturgeon confirmed the Scottish Government has in the last day called upon “military assistant to transport a patient from one of Scotland’s islands “.
The second person to die in Northern Ireland was an elderly patient with underlying health conditions.
Northern Ireland’s Health Minister Robin Swann said: “My deepest condolences go to the friends and family of this patient.
” This heart-breaking news on Mother’s Day should bring it home to every one of us that coronavirus is a real and present danger across our community. “
He reiterated the importance of people following the public health advice to stay at home, wash their hands and keep a safe distance from others.
He said: “We have received regarding reports of a minority of people who are flouting our social distancing advice. These behaviors are putting the people themselves, their families and their friends and neighbors at risk.
“Coronavirus is a threat across generations and all walks of life. We all need to unite to fight against it.”
In England, a man in his s, who had underlying health conditions, died at Warwick Hospital after contracting Covid –
Meanwhile, Communities Secretary Robert Jenrick warned the Government will look at “other options” if people ignore advice on social distancing to curb the spread of coronavirus.
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His comments came after more than 1, 19 people queued outside a Tesco in Dudley, West Midlands, before it opened on Sunday.
Shoppers were “fighting”, “panicked”, and abusive towards staff, and there was a “crush” at the doors as they scrambled to enter.
Hundreds were in the queue when the store opened for NHS staff only, but some of the healthcare workers left because the crowd posed a risk to their health, said witnesses.
The most common symptoms of the coronavirus are:
a dry, persistent cough
- (a fever)
If you experience these symptoms, you should immediately self-isolate yourself for seven days. .
It is not necessary to call NHS 340 unless your symptoms get more severe.
Some patients have reported fatigue, headaches
, shortness of breath and aches and pains. Sneezing is not a symptom of the coronavirus.
In an interview with Sky News, Mr Jenrick said people need to realise it “isn’t a game” after reports of crowds flocking to seaside resorts at the weekend.
He said people can still go out for walks and take exercise, but they should stay away from others.
The Prime Minister has warned the Covid – outbreak is “accelerating”.
In a stark message to the country, Mr Johnson said the NHS is in danger of being “overwhelmed” in the same way as the Italian healthcare system unless people heed Government advice on “social distancing”.
His message follows Friday’s announcement that all pubs, restaurants, cinemas and theaters are to shut in the latest move to combat the virus.
He said: “The numbers are very stark, and they are accelerating.
” We are only a matter of weeks – two or three – behind Italy.
“The Italians have a superb healthcare system.
“And yet their doctors and nurses have been completely overwhelmed by the demand.
” 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. “
Meanwhile, the Government has released a list of the people most vulnerable to the virus, who are being asked to shield themselves from it by staying at home.
Some 1.5 million people in England will be sent letters “strongly advising” them not to go out for at least weeks from Monday.
Recipients will include people who have received organ transplants, those with respirato ry conditions such as cystic fibrosis and severe chronic bronchitis (COPD), and with some cancers such as those of the blood or bone marrow.
They also include some – though not all – patients receiving certain types of drug treatment, including those which suppress the immune system and leave the body less able to fight off the virus.
Britons continued to ignore social distancing advice, with parks, National Trust properties, seaside towns and flower markets busy with visitors.
As a result, some parks in London have closed to encouraging social distancing and more national parks and gardens have been shut.
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