UK’s Coronavirus Death Toll Leaps by 260 in a Single Day to Hit 1,019 With More Than 17,000 Infected

“The news comes as Governmental advisers warn that even stricter social distancing measures could be under way if the staggering increase in figures doesn’t stop.

“The total number of deaths is 34 per cent higher than the equivalent figure on Friday and the largest day-on-day percentage increase since March 18, when the total rose from 71 to 104 (46 percent).”

The Department of Health and Social Care said today, it is the biggest daily increase the UK has seen to day.

“It took 13 days for the number of deaths in the UK to go from one to more than 100. It has taken a further 10 days for the total to go from more than 100 more than 1,000,” the report said.

“Meanwhile, the number of people tested in the UK for coronavirus was 120,776 as of 9am today.

“Some 47,958 tests were carried out in the seven days before today. In the previous seven days the number of tests was 35,072.

“The total number of confirmed cases of coronavirus in the UK now stands at 17,089. One week ago, on March 21, the total stood at 5,018.

“Prime Minister Boris Johnson is already having to lead the response to the pandemic from Downing Street after he was diagnosed with the disease.

“He has been accused of failing to follow his own social distancing rules after Health Secretary Matt Hancock tested positive and England’s chief medical officer Professor Chris Whitty began self-isolating with symptoms.”

A statement from NHS England said: “Patients were aged between 33 and 100 years old and all but 13 (aged between 63 and 99 years old) had underlying health conditions.”

Government advisers said stricter social distancing policies may have to be rolled out next month if the grim figures continued to rise.

The measures would be introduced in three weeks as the outbreak reached its peak to further reduce ‘person-to-person interaction’.

France announced that individuals could only exercise alone – unless with children – for a maximum of an hour and within 1,000 yards of their homes, while Spain and Italy have banned exercise altoghter.

“There are concerns that Britons are deliberately misinterpreting the guidance by travelling to beauty spots miles from their homes,” the report added.

“A paramedic sets up medical equipment outside the Excel Centre, London while it is being prepared to become the NHS Nightingale Hospital.

“Equipment being setup at the ExCel centre in London which is being made into a temporary hospital – the NHS Nightingale hospital, comprising of two wards, each of 2,000 people, to help tackle coronavirus

“A senior government adviser suggested the figures would continue to rise for at least the next three weeks, meaning the peak is likely to hit at Easter.

“Sudhir Sharma, who worked at Heathrow Terminal 3, passed away on Wednesday before pharmacist Pooja suffered the same tragic fate the following day,

“He is believed to have had underlying health problems, forcing him to be absent at work, but had recently returned to his job on the frontline.”

A source told the website: “It’s an absolute tragedy. He was a lovely, lovely man. Every immigration officer is talking about it.

“There are concerns about his widow being unable to attend the funeral because of the isolation issues. It’s just so awful.”

Whether the relatives were in close contact with each other before the tragedies is not clear, but friends and colleagues have since rushed to pay tribute, the report said.

Britain’s Prime Minister has stressed that “unless you are a key worker or helping someone vulnerable, the only reasons to go outside are to go shopping for essentials, exercise once a day or fulfil any medical needs”.

“Police chiefs are encouraging Britons to snitch on neighbours suspected of breaching Boris Johnson’s coronavirus lockdown.

“Humberside Police have created a ‘hotline’ where people can submit tip-offs if they flout social distancing rules, including gatherings of more than two people.

“The portals have been made in response to an increase in the number of calls to the non-emergency 101 number since Monday.

“This comes as police up and down the country exercise their new powers to enforce the coronavirus lockdown – stopping people having picnics and dog walkers in the Peak District by chasing them with drones.

“Despite this, forces yesterday were facing accusations of being overzealous as they use the sweeping new powers to crack down on people flouting the rules, using road blocks, drones and helicopters to enforce it.

“fficers began issuing fines less than 24 hours after new laws were brought into force, the National Police Chiefs’ Council has said.

“Those who ignore the tougher restrictions on movement could be hit with a £60 fine initially – reduced to £30 if paid within 14 days – and another for £120 for a second offence. But fines could reach £1,000-plus for repeat offenders.”