Coronavirus: Total of 335 in the UK have died after testing positive for COVID-19
Written by News on 23/03/2020
A total of 335 people have died in the UK after testing positive for coronavirus – an increase of 54 since yesterday.
It comes after a further 46 people in England died following a COVID-19 diagnosis, bringing the total to 303.
Scotland and Wales also reported another four deaths each, taking the totals to 14 and 16 respectively. Two people have died in Northern Ireland.
Sunday’s increase in deaths across the UK was 48.
Boris Johnson daily briefing is not expected to take place at 5pm as usual, with Number 10 sources indicating he will instead address the nation later.
The prime minister has said he is considering tougher measures to slow the virus after thousands of people congregated in parks and tourist hotspots on Sunday, going against advice to stay two metres (6.5ft) apart.
The government is also looking at converting London’s Excel Centre into a makeshift hospital with about 4,000 beds to treat coronavirus patients.
A team of military planners visited the huge exhibition space over the weekend, the Ministry of Defence (MoD) said.
The armed forces have experience in setting up mobile hospitals during wartime, but the MoD said it would not be a “military field hospital”.
Although military planners would help with setting it up and provide backup staff if needed, it would be run by the NHS, defence sources told Sky News.
The Army will also help deliver protective equipment to frontline NHS staff after they warned they did not have enough items such as masks and protective suits.
Today has also seen pupils starting their first day of homeschooling after the government closed schools and colleges on Friday.
Children whose parents are deemed key workers, such as NHS staff, and also vulnerable pupils, have remained at school.
After the government advised people to only travel if essential, train timetables were curtailed and carriage numbers reduced from Monday.
However, many services into London remained full and people were pictured packing into carriages on the Tube.
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(c) Sky News 2020: Coronavirus: Total of 335 in the UK have died after testing positive for COVID-19
