CORONAVIRUS fatalities today hit 105 as Northern Ireland recorded its first death.

The elderly patient, who had an underlying medical condition, tragically died in hospital as the deadly bug continues to sweep across the UK with 2,626 cases.

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Health Minister Robin Swann this morning announced the tragedy, saying: "I want to express my deep sadness at this death and send my condolences to the patient's family and friends.

"I would once again appeal to everyone to play their part in fighting the spread of this virus."

It comes after ten deaths were recorded in London yesterday as UK fatalities jumped by 46 per cent in just 24 hours.

As the killer bug grips Britain, the number of patients to test positive for coronavirus jumped by 676 cases from 1,950 to 2,626.

It comes as…

• Emergency legislation is expected to be announced later today as 'superspreader' London faces a total lockdown
• Troops are ready to step in to take over hotels as the UK's death rate spirals
• London's Tube and train shutdown is expected to start this morning
• Schools will be closed across the UK from Friday and exams have been cancelled
• Thugs smashed the doors of a Sainsbury's amid panic buying

Schools across the UK will be shut down by the end of the week as part of the response to the deadly bug.

Exams were also cancelled as Boris Johnson promised the one million 16 and 18-year-olds due to take GCSEs and A-levels they will not be penalised.

And 20,000 troops are ready to join the fight against coronavirus as "superspreader city" London faces a total lockdown as early as Friday.

London's transport lockdown will start from today with 40 Tube stations closed until further notice and the rest of the capital's transport network to be scaled back dramatically.

Across the globe, the number of coronavirus cases yesterday surged past 200,000.

Meanwhile, coronavirus is continuing to spread across the UK, with patients including babies to pensioners in their 90s.

Boris this week announced drastic new measures in an attempt to slow the spread of the bug – with confirmed cases worldwide today topping 200,000 worldwide.

The PM promised a £350bn 'war-time' bailout to stop coronavirus from wrecking the economy.

His people’s bailout will be the biggest rescue package in peacetime.

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The PM has warned the nation to avoid pubs, theatres, restaurants and all social gatherings.

And he cautioned: "I stress that although the measures announced are already extreme, we may well have to go further and faster in the coming days to protect lives and the NHS."

Brits were this week advised to work from home where possible as the Foreign Office advised against all non-essential foreign travel for at least 30 days.

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Thugs smashed the glass doors of a Sainsbury's in London after stealing alcohol overnight.

Four men aged 20, 21, 21, and 22, were arrested near the scene on suspicion of theft and criminal damage.

It comes as supermarkets have been put under immense strain as shoppers panic buy amid fear of a lockdown due to the spread of the coronavirus.

Shoppers have been pictured brawling over toilet paper and booze as panic set in.

And footage filmed this morning shows hundreds of desperate customers lining up to pay for their items in Romford, East London, a day before the capital faces a total lockdown.

Yesterday, Sainsbury's announced it would limit sales of every item in its stores as it tries to stamp out panic buying.

Customers will be able to buy a maximum of three of any grocery item and two of the most popular products, such as toilet paper, soap and UHT milk.

And older shoppers will have stores to themselves for the first hour of opening from tomorrow – plus get priority home delivery slots from Monday.

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