A shocking picture of a suspected coronavirus patient being rushed to hospital in London poses a stark warning to Britons who refuse t...
A shocking picture of a suspected coronavirus patient being rushed to hospital in London poses a stark warning to Britons who refuse to to observe social distancing rules 'making full lockdown of the capital inevitable'.'
Disturbing images show medics carrying an elderly patient from a nursing home in Primrose Hill yesterday as the capital faces Italian-style measures to combat Covid-19.
Masked police officers watch as health workers place the senior citizen in an ambulance outside the Carole House complex.
The images surfaced just hours after Prime Minister Boris Johnson warned people who weren't following Government advice on social distancing that they have just 24 hours to take the measure seriously.
As an 18-year-old from Coventry, West Midlands, became the youngest person to die of the virus in the UK, Mr Johnson threatened to exert stricter controls to help fight the outbreak.
A source told The Times that a total lockdown could be 'inevitable', telling the paper that the PM would have the total support of Cabinet were he to execute the measures.
Pictured: Medics load a patient into an ambulance after taking the elderly resident from a nursing home in Primrose Hill, north London, as the Prime Minister condemned people for putting others' lives at risk by not observing the Government's advice on social distancing
The senior citizen was helped to an ambulance on Sunday as it was also revealed that the youngest person to die as a result of coronavirus in the UK was 18
Day.
Britons were seen disobeying the rule of standing six feet apart as the country's total number of cases hit 5,683.
With 281 people now known to have died from the virus in the UK, the PM used his daily press conference to warn there was 'no doubt' he would act to close open spaces and limit all movement outside homes if people continued to act foolishly, but stopped short of immediate action.
He later added: 'I don't think you need to use your imagination very much to see where we might have to go, and we will think about this very very actively in the next 24 hours.'
Mr Johnson told the nation it was only 'two or three' weeks behind Italy where the death toll has already risen above 4,000 making it the worst outbreak anywhere in the world.
There were 47 new cases identified in the UK on Sunday alone, with Britain's youngest victim to date dying at University Hospital, Coventry.
Mr Johnson said that unless the UK could control the spread of the virus through social distancing, the NHS would be 'overwhelmed' in the same way that the Italian healthcare system had been.
The surge in cases of the virus comes on the day Mr Johnson urged families to stay apart and instead celebrate Mother's Day via Skype and other remote communications.
In a tough message to the public from Downing Street this afternoon, Mr Johnson said that even though he understood the physical and mental health benefits of open spaces, he would take drastic steps to protect health.
In other developments:
- The number of confirmed coronavirus cases in Britain rose from 5,018 to 5,683;
- In Italy, coronavirus claimed 651 lives in just one day taking the death toll to 5,476, while in France it rose 112 to 674;
- German Chancellor Angela Merkel went into quarantine after a doctor who treated her tested positive for the virus, and the nation banned meetings of more than two people;
- Chaos is expected at school gates this morning as teachers ask parents to hand over identification or pay slips to prove they are 'key workers' and entitled to keep their children in class;
- The NHS is to begin sending out letters to the 1.5million considered to be most at risk of the disease urging them to remain at home for the next 12 weeks;
- A nurse is fighting for her life in the hospital where she works after being diagnosed with coronavirus;
- High street chains including John Lewis, Zara, Waterstones and Primark announced the temporary closure of stores;
- Boots warned staff that it could run out of paracetamol by the end of trading next week, as supermarket panic buying continued with some selfish shoppers even gate-crashing an hour reserved for NHS staff;
- Thousands of churches across London and its suburbs are to close their doors entirely to try to enforce the Government's rules on social distancing.
At a press conference in Downing Street, Mr Johnson said the Government had already taken 'very draconian steps' in closing schools, pubs and restaurants, but said they would have to go further if people do not heed the advice. The Prime Minister said: 'A huge quantity of our normal daily life has been totally transformed.
'It is very important for people's mental and physical wellbeing and they should be able to get out and exercise if they possibly can. But when we do that we have to do it responsibly. If you don't do it responsibly... there is going to be no doubt that we will have to bring forward further measures.'
The number of confirmed coronavirus cases in Britain rose from 5,018 to 5,683 in one day yesterday, official figures revealed
Boris Johnson said further measures would be considered over the coming 24 hours if the public failed to adhere to the new social distancing requirements
In a tough message to the public from Downing Street, Mr Johnson said: 'Even if you think you are personally invulnerable, there are plenty of people you can infect.
Ministers are considering following other countries such as Italy and Spain that have banned people from leaving their homes unless they need to go to work or to buy essential food and supplies.
Spanish police arrested 157 people for disobeying the rules in just the first five days, while Italian authorities have the power to fine anyone caught entering or leaving the area of the country worst hit by the virus. Germany has banned gatherings of more than two people outside people's homes.
Mr Johnson said: 'I don't think you need to use your imagination very much to see where we might have to go, and we will think about this very, very actively in the next 24 hours.'
Communities Secretary Robert Jenrick said people need to realise it 'isn't a game'.
London Mayor Sadiq Khan said the police and Army may soon be required to enforce social distancing, as he warned that unless people stay at home 'more people will die'.
Meanwhile, Lord Fowler said a more hard-hitting information campaign might be needed if people don't follow guidance.
Recalling his own experience of dealing with the Aids crisis as health secretary in the 1980s, he told BBC Radio 4's Westminster Hour: 'The first newspaper advertisements we did were very worthy. When we got on to television and we got on to our campaign, 'Don't Die of Ignorance', then they started taking notice.'
Police have been forced to visit bars and restaurants following reports owners are ignoring orders to close. Officers were deployed after it was claimed some rural pubs were planning to hold 'lock-ins'.
'You are putting other people's lives at RISK': Boris Johnson hints he could ban ALL Britons from leaving their homes 'within the next 24 hours' if they don't keep 'absolutely crucial' six feet apart
- UK death toll rose by 48 in just 24 hours amid scenes of people gathering in parks and on beaches
- PM had urged families to stay apart and instead celebrate Mother's Day via Skype and other means
- He said said there was 'no doubt' he would act if people continued to ignore distancing advice from scientists
Boris Johnson has hinted he could ban all Britons from leaving their homes 'within 24 hours' if they refuse to keep the 'absolutely crucial' six feet apart.
The PM used his daily press conference to warn there was 'no doubt' he would act to shut open spaces and limit all movement outside homes if people continued to act foolishly, but stopped short of immediate action.
It came as the UK death toll rose by 48 in just 24 hours to 281 people, with more than 5,600 confirmed cases. These who died in England were aged between 18 and 102, authorities said.
Hours earlier there had been appalling scenes as Britons across the UK flocked to beaches and parks up and down the country to take a stroll with their loved ones for Mother's Day, despite social distancing advice from the government surrounding the coronavirus pandemic.
The surge in cases of the virus comes on the day Mr Johnson urged families to stay apart and instead celebrate Mother's Day via Skype and other remote communications.
In a tough message to the public from Downing Street this afternoon, Mr Johnson said that even though he understood the physical and mental health benefits of open spaces, he would take drastic steps to protect health.
He suggested the UK could copy some of the more extreme lockdowns in other parts of Europe, such as Italy and France.
‘I don’t think you need to use your imagination much to see where we might have to go,’ he said.
‘We will think about this very, very actively in the next 24 hours.
‘We need to think about the kinds of measures that we have seen elsewhere, other countries that have been forced to bring in restrictions on people’s movements altogether.
‘I don’t want to do that because I have tried to explain the public health benefits.’
The remarks are a ramping up of pressure from Downing Street but are likely to result in increased demands for the action to take place immediately in line with other nations - with some saying it should have been done already.
In a tough message to the public from Downing Street this afternoon, Mr Johnson said: ‘Even if you think you are personally invulnerable, there are plenty of people you can infect.
Pen y Pass near Llanberis in Gwynedd on Sunday morning as visitors ignore requests to stay away on Snowdonia today
Oh I do like to be beside the seaside! Visitors continued to flock to seaside resorts today including this one in West Bay, Dorset
People packed Bournemouth esplanade this morning (Sunday). Paddle boarders and swimmers braved the cold temperatures despite fears over the global coronavirus outbreak
Seven more people in Wales have died after contracting the coronavirus as the UK death toll hits 240 with 5,018 positive tests for Covid-19. Pictured: St. Mary's Street in Cardiff lies empty
People are pictured enjoying fish and chips on a bench in Skegness as crowds flocked to the resort despite warning about Covid-19
Dog walkers, cyclists, joggers and drivers all crowd Richmond Park this afternoon as some people continue to ignore the pleas of staying indoors to help try and reduce the amount of people getting infected with the coronavirus
The infamous Columbia Road Flower Market in London showed no signs of slowing down today as many flocked there to purchase flowers
Pen y Pass near Llanberis in Gwynedd on Sunday morning as visitors ignore requests to stay away on Snowdonia
‘Even if you think you are personally invulnerable, there are plenty of people you can infect,' he said.
‘Take this advice seriously. Follow it. Because it is absolutely crucial.
‘We will keep the implementation of these measures under review… and of course we will bring forward further measures if it is necessary.'
Hammering home the point, he added: 'If people cannot make use of parks and playgrounds responsibly, in a way that observes the two-metre rule, then of course we are going to have to look at further measures.'
But despite advice from politicians and medical and scientific experts in recent days there were worrying scenes across the nation.
In Dorset many strolled across the sands while others thought nothing of going for a dip in the sea this afternoon.
The Scottish government has today criticised tourists for 'irresponsible behavior' as many got in their caravans to try and 'escape' from the coronavirus.
In London, people were still out and about and some even made it down to the infamous Columbia Road Flower Market this afternoon, despite criticism from major Sadiq Khan who said Londoners needed to stay in to save lives.
Cumbria Police said despite Government advice to avoid non-essential travel, the Lake District and other tourist hotspots in the UK were experiencing an 'influx' of visitors.
In other developments:
- The number of confirmed coronavirus cases in Britain rose from 5,018 to 5,683;
- In Italy, coronavirus claimed 651 lives in just one day taking the death toll to 5,476, while in France it rose 112 to 674;
- German Chancellor Angela Merkel went into quarantine after a doctor who treated her tested positive for the virus, and the nation banned meetings of more than two people;
- Chaos is expected at school gates this morning as teachers ask parents to hand over identification or pay slips to prove they are ‘key workers’ and entitled to keep their children in class;
- The NHS is to begin sending out letters to the 1.5million considered to be most at risk of the disease urging them to remain at home for the next 12 weeks;
- A nurse is fighting for her life in the hospital where she works after being diagnosed with coronavirus;
- High street chains including John Lewis, Zara, Waterstones and Primark announced the temporary closure of stores;
- Boots warned staff that it could run out of paracetamol by the end of trading next week, as supermarket panic buying continued with some selfish shoppers even gate-crashing an hour reserved for NHS staff;
- Thousands of churches across London and its suburbs are to close their doors entirely to try to enforce the government’s rules on social distancing.
As of 2pm today, testing has resulted in 20 new positive cases in Northern Ireland, bringing the total number of confirmed cases to 128.
The total number of tests completed in Northern Ireland is 2,484.
A total of 44 were aged 44 or under, another 44 aged 45-69 and 40 were aged 70 or over. Males made up 73 cases and females 55.
Chief Medical Officer for Wales Dr Frank Atherton confirmed today that 12 people in Wales have died in total, with figures rising overnight by seven.
'My thoughts are with their families and friends, and I ask that their privacy is respected at this very sad time,' Dr Atherton said.
The deaths occurred during the week, but test results have only just confirmed they were infected with Covid-19, were over 70, and had underlying medical conditions.
Prime Minister Boris Johnson, Secretary of State for Housing, Communities and Local Government Robert Jenrick and Deputy Chief Medical Officer Dr Jenny Harries attend the news conference today
Communities Secretary Robert Jenrick today said that now was the time to 'go further' to shield clinically vulnerable people, and pledged that they are 'not alone'
Five of the deaths were at Royal Gwent Hospital in Newport, one in Nevill Hall Hospital in Abergavenny, and one at the Prince Charles Hospital in Merthyr Tydfil.
A further 89 people tested positive today, bringing the Welsh total of cases to 280.
First Minister Nicola Sturgeon also warned pubs that stay open during the Covid-19 outbreak are putting lives at risk.
Ms Sturgeon said that while the 'vast majority' of bars, restaurants and cafes have complied with instructions from the Scottish Government to close, she had seen suggestions on social media that a 'small minority might not be complying'.
She insisted: 'If that's true, make no mistake... lives are at risk as a result. Please do the right thing now.'
Meanwhile, Plaid Cymru leader Adam Price has said self-isolaters should be banned from travelling to rural parts of Wales during the Covid-19 crisis.
Mr Price has written to First Minister Mark Drakeford demanding he stops people travelling to caravan parks, second homes, and tourist accommodation.
He said there are concerns about an influx of people into rural communities - putting even more pressure on local health and social care services.
First Minister Nicola Sturgeon warned pubs that stay open during the Covid-19 outbreak are putting lives at risk
This comes as High Street chain Boots warned staff that its warehouses only contain enough supply for another '1.3 weeks', and stocks will be exhausted by the end of trading next week.
By Saturday March 28, the company expect to have run out of the painkiller Paracetamol.
In an urgent memo to staff, Boots also announced draconian measures to limit the sale of all products 'containing Paracetamol', in each of its 2,500 stores, to just one per person.
Halving the industry standard policy of two Paracetamol, Ibuprofen or Aspirin products per customer transaction.
The company told staff the decision has been made in order to: 'Help us support as many customers as possible'.
UK pharmacies have been placing large orders with pharmaceutical wholesalers to replace stock amid panic buying, due to the Covid-19 pandemic.
The memo warns staff at retail outlets: 'Our availability on lines which are being driven by Coronavirus is changing daily. Whilst we are continuing to try and secure more stock from suppliers there are lines which are now OOS (Out Of Stock) or with very low forward weeks cover and you may not receive further deliveries for a period of time.'
It is illegal to sell more than 100 tablets or capsules of either paracetamol or aspirin in any one retail transaction, and Medicines and Healthcare products Regulatory Agency (MHRA) guidelines limit sale to two packets per transaction.
The Paracetamol crisis comes after the government's chief science officer urged the public to avoid ibuprofen to treat Coronavirus.
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