
Daily briefing update:
The PM called on people to join a “heroic and collective national effort” and follow social distancing advice.
The number of people who have died in the UK with coronavirus rose to 233 on Saturday, as cases topped 5,000. The most recent 53 deaths in England were people aged 41 to 94 who had underlying health conditions, the NHS said.
It comes as NHS England plans to write to 1.5 million people most at risk.
PM also warned to scale back mother’s Day plans to Skype visits.
Meanwhile, the government has said members of the Armed Forces will help ensure essential items like groceries can be delivered to people who are at-risk.
The people identified as the most vulnerable in their communities will be contacted directly as a priority.
In the last 48 hours, thousands of retired medics have answered the government’s call to return to work to help with the outbreak – including 4,000 nurses and 500 doctors.
Trade unions and a former minister have called for financial help for self-employed workers in the UK. It comes after the government promised to pay 80% of salaries of staff kept on by employers
The Big Issue magazine – which sells around 60,000 copies every week – will stop being sold from next week
Homeless people will be housed in hotels in central London to protect them against the virus, the Mayor of London Sadiq Khan said
The death toll passes 11,000 worldwide, as confirmed cases of coronavirus pass 280,000
Just over 4% of people who developed symptoms are likely to need hospital care – and a third of those intensive care support.
There are nearly 4,000 adult critical care beds in England currently.
Shoppers have been told to “be responsible” and think of others such as NHS workers, after widespread panic-buying. The government also said there is no shortage of food.
Children are putting up paintings of rainbows in their windows after schools closed on Friday.