Tuesday, 26 Nov 2024

Coronavirus UK death toll jumps to 1,228 as NHS grapples with deadly disease

The Department of Health and Social Care confirmed a further 209 have been killed by coronavirus in the UK.

Officials said a further 19,522 positive tested positive for the disease, while 108,215 tested negative.

In England, a further 190 people with Covid-19 died from the disease, taking the country's total to 1,125, NHS England said.

The Public Health Agency said a further six people with coronavirus have died in Northern Ireland, bringing the death toll in the region to 21.

Public Health Wales confirmed 10 of the 209 deaths included citizens of Wales, and the total for country is now 48.

The deaths follow Britain’s second deadliest day of 260 deaths yesterday, as the toll reached a devastating milestone of over 1,000 deaths.

It comes as Brits were warned a three-month lockdown could be ahead as the NHS and government continue to grapple with the virus.

Boris Johnson initially ordered the public to stay at home for just three weeks, allowing Brits to leave their home for exercise, essential shopping and medical care.

The strict measures are now likely to last until May, maybe June, with government advisor Professor Neil Ferguson suggesting May “is optimistic.”

He told the Sunday Times: "We’re going to have to keep these measures [the full lockdown] in place, in my view, for a significant period of time – probably until the end of May, maybe even early June.

"May is optimistic."

Michael Gove also suggested the lockdown may last longer after he told press the length of closures was no "absolutely fixed."

He warned that ministers would not hesitate to enforce tougher rules, but said the evidence is people are obeying them.

"There are different projections as to how long the lockdown might last," he told Sky's Sophy Ridge on Sunday, when asked about one key expert's prediction of June.

"But it's not the case that the length of the lockdown is something that is absolutely fixed.

"It depends on all of our behaviour. If we follow the guidelines, we can deal more effectively with the spread of the disease."

The Prime Minister warned the nation the situation will get worse before it starts to get better and advisors have suggested a Covid-19 peak could be at Easter.

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Mr Johnson, who has himself tested positive for coronavirus, has written to 30 million households across the UK urging them to stay at home.

The letters, which will arrive this week, say: "We know things will get worse before they get better.

"But we are making the right preparations, and the more we all follow the rules, the fewer lives will be lost and the sooner life can return to normal."

Brits have been advised to isolate for a period of 14 days if they live with others and have dry cough symptoms, a high temperature or struggle breathing.

The advice has been challenged by some, who claim a loss of smell or taste is also a key sign which has been overlooked.

It comes amid fears people are still not following social distancing guidelines, with people pictured out-and-about in parks and markets yesterday.

  • Coronavirus

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