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The government wants at least 60% of the population to catch killer coronavirus so that we develop "herd immunity" to avoid an even more deathly bug mutating and coming back stronger next winter, its top scientist admitted today.

But the risky tactic is drastically different to other countries who are trying to stop Covid-19 in its tracks.

It works by more people contracting the disease and suffering only mild symptoms and building up resistance so fewer people pass it on.

Speaking this morning, England chief science advisor Sir Patrick Vallance said: "Around 60 percent is the sort of figure you need to get herd immunity.

(Image: Sky News)

"We want to suppress it, not get rid of it completely - which you can't do anyway.

"Communities will become immune to it and that’s going to be an important part of controlling this longer term.

"We think this virus is likely to be one that comes back year on year, become like a seasonal virus."

Britain and America have taken a radically different approach to the rest of the world who are desperately trying on to curb the spread.

Both have been far slower to react or impose restrictions whereas countries such as Denmark, Spain and the Republic of Ireland are doubling-down by closing schools and constraining mass gatherings.

(Image: Arsenal FC via Getty Images)

Football is buckling under a fresh wave of confirmed and feared infections.

Arsenal have gone into lockdown after Mikel Arteta tested positive and Chelsea's full squad are self-isolating after Callum Hudson-Odoi contracted the bug.

Everton’s squad are also self-isolating as some players have showed symptoms.

Uefa was forced to postpone all Champions League and Europa League Last 16 matches.

Celebrities and global politicians have also caught coronavirus.

(Image: REUTERS)

Tom Hanks and his wife Rita are in quarantine as is the Canadian PM Justin Trudeau because his wife Sophie Grégoire Trudeau is infected.

The virus is likely to plague us over and over again during flu season Sir Patrick admitted.

But countries like Thailand which took severe steps to contain the dreaded bug have seen cases plummet.

PM Boris Johnson said last night: “Many more families will lose loved ones.”

(Image: PA)

His chief advisor Dominic Cummings first mentioned “herd immunity” at a meeting with tech leaders on March 11.

But the phrase was not mentioned during the televised press conference last night watched by millions.

Sir Patrick warned we are four weeks behind Italy and that we are nowhere near the peak of the disease yet.

Italy's virus death toll today passed 1,000 as the country’s chief medical officer died.

Roberto Stella, president of the Medical Guild of Varese, 67, suffered respiratory failure after contracting Covid-19.