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The total number of coronavirus cases has soared to 798 after a further 208 were diagnosed in the last 24 hours.

The latest figures come after Boris Johnson said the government was moving from 'contain' to 'delay' in its fight to stop the spread.

Scotland has also recorded its first fatality from the virus taking the UK death toll to 11.

As of 9am today, a total of 32,771 people had been tested, 798 positively, while ten patients who tested positive in the UK have died.

Wales earlier announced 13 new cases, taking the total number of infections there to 38.

In Scotland, the number of confirmed case has risen to 85 and in Northern Ireland, 29 people have tested positive, an increase of nine today.

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Today's total rise in confirmed cases in the UK from 590 to 798 is the largest day-on-day increase since the outbreak began - 35% up on the equivalent figure for Thursday.

One week ago, on March 6, the total number of cases stood at 163.

Today's total of 798 is almost five times greater than the equivalent figure one week ago.

While the number of confirmed cases stands at 798, it as been suggested up to 10,000 people could be unknowingly carrying the bug.

Dr Hilary Jones urged the government to reconsider their new advice and decisions regarding the latest talks.

He told host GMB host Kate Garraway: “It’s very likely this virus is widespread in our society right now.

(Image: PA)

“Oh far more [than 10,000] I would imagine, far more.”

In an alarming revelation, the UK’s Chief Scientific Adviser, Sir Patrick Vallance, said he thinks coronavirus is likely to become an “annual virus”.

He told BBC Radio 4’s Today programme that the Government’s approach is about flattening the “broader peak” of the epidemic and developing an immunity among the population.

“What we don’t want is everybody to end up getting it in a short period of time so we swamp and overwhelm NHS services - that’s the flattening of the peak,” he said.

(Image: Sky News)

“You can’t stop it, so you should end up with a broader peak during which time you’d anticipate that more people would get immunity to this. That in itself becomes a protective part of this process.

“This is quite likely, I think, to become an annual virus, an annual seasonal infection.”

Earlier today, the Foreign and Commonwealth Office issued new guidance on those travelling to Spain.

It advised all but essential travel to parts of the country, including Madrid, La Rioja, the municipalities of La Bastida and Vitoria (both in the Basque Country) and Miranda de Ebro (in Castilla y León).

An FCO spokesperson said: “We are advising against all but essential travel to the regions of Madrid, La Rioja and the municipalities of La Bastida, Vitoria and Miranda de Ebro.

“Airlines are continuing to run flights as normal to and from these areas.”