
Coronavirus panic-buying unleashed carnage on British supermarkets today as hordes of shoppers gutted the nation's food and toilet roll aisles.

Startling scenes across the country saw shoppers crammed outside store entrances before making a bee-line for hygiene products, which have been in short supply over recent days.

A mass of trolleys piled high with tinned products and essentials were pictured inside one London Asda branch as Britons braced to bunker down at home after Boris Johnson urged anyone with a cough to self-isolate.

The supermarket pandemonium came after the UK's death toll doubled to 21 and the number of cases jumped to more than 1,100.

In a sign that the UK's epidemic was rapidly spiralling, Donald Trump today extended the United States' travel ban to include Britain.

The flight freeze will kick in at midnight tomorrow, scuppering scores of trans-Atlantic work and holidays plans.

As the COVID-19 pandemic continued to rock everyday life for millions around the world:

Ten over-60s died of the virus in the past 24 hours in the deadliest day of the UK's outbreak so far;

An expert warned over 20million Britons could be infected with the virus by the summer;

Spain was put on a nationwide lock-down after cases soared by a third overnight to 5,753;

France went into lock-down with restaurants, shops, cinemas and cafés to shut for the foreseeable future;

President Trump revealed he had been tested for the infection and was awaiting results, with new measures in place to screen anyone in his close proximity;

Iran's death toll rose to 611 as the regime scrambles to contain one of the world's worst outbreaks.

The panic hitting the UK's high streets reached fever pitch with one man from Bath, who was pictured dressed in a combat-style hazmat suit carrying 27 toilet rolls.

And in one Asda in South Wales, the doomsday song The Final Countdown was even blasted out of the shop's sound system.

Trolleys piled high for delivery are seen as shoppers queue at the checkout of Asda in London amid coronavirus hysteria

Coronavirus panic-buying unleashed carnage on British supermarkets today as hoards of shoppers gutted the nation's food and toilet roll aisles (Tesco in Colney Hatch, London, pictured)

Shoppers panic-buying toilet rolls in Savers, north London, as the number of confirmed UK Covid-19 cases surpassed 1,110

Shoppers were seen in winding lines at supermarkets (pictured, Savers in Wood Green, London) as they tried to get their hands on toilet roll, hand sanitiser and tinned goods

Panic-buying Britons are seen in a London Tesco this morning stockpiling on toilet roll and vital items

Shoppers stand in queues by the tills in Tesco Extra in Surrey Quays, south east London

Crowds gathered on paths beside Sainsbury's in Ladbroke Grove and Savers in Wood Green (pictured), both London, as the threat of a lockdown looms

Shelves in this Sainsbury's superstore in London have been cleaned out after people started stockpiling due to the coronavirus threat the the country

Another bizarre picture shows a man dressed in a combat-style hazmat suit carrying 27 toilet rolls in Bath

British Retail Consortium members sent a joint letter to consumers asking everyone to work together to ensure there is enough food for the country. Pictured: Empty shelves in London

Food retailers have urged customers to shop responsibly during the coronavirus outbreak as shelves are left stripped of goods. Pictured: Wood Green's Savers

Shoppers look miserable as they stand in line at Tesco Extra in Surrey Quays on Saturday morning

Shelves have been completely stripped across the country, with this Sainsbury's store in London looking bare

Firms are working closely with the Government and suppliers, and have arranged more store deliveries to ensure shelves are stocked, the letter added. Pictured: A Sainsbury's in London

Shoppers wait in line for a supermarket to open its doors at Tesco in London on Saturday

A man stands in front of empty aisles as he tries to stock up amid panic-buying problems across the country

TRUMP BANS TRAVEL FROM UK President Donald Trump has banned flights from the UK Donald Trump has extended the United States' coronavirus travel ban to people from the UK and Ireland. The flight freeze will kick in at midnight tomorrow, scuppering work and holiday plans for Britons preparing to make trans-Atlantic trips. The President had initially excluded the UK and Ireland from the European ban of 26 countries, but added it to the blacklist this afternoon as infection rates soared overnight. Under the restrictions, American citizens and green card holders are still allowed to return home, but will be funnelled to 13 airports and subjected to health screenings and quarantine orders. US Vice President Mike Pence confirmed the ban, saying: 'In our taskforce meeting today the President has made a decision to suspend all travel to the UK and Ireland, effective midnight Monday night, eastern standard time.' Advertisement

Food retailers have urged customers to shop responsibly during the coronavirus outbreak as shelves are left bare.

'We want to let you know that we are doing everything we can so that you and your families have the food and essentials you need. But we need your help too. We would ask everyone to be considerate in the way they shop.

'We understand your concerns, but buying more than is needed can sometimes mean that others will be left without. There is enough for everyone if we all work together.

'Together we can make sure we are looking out for family, friends, neighbours. Together we will care for those around us and those who are elderly, vulnerable or choosing to remain at home.'

Firms are working closely with the Government and suppliers, and have arranged more store deliveries to ensure shelves are stocked, the letter added.

Speaking on behalf of the retailers, Helen Dickinson, chief executive of the British Retail Consortium, said: 'Retailers are working incredibly hard to keep shops well stocked and deliveries running as smoothly as possible.

'In the face of unprecedented demand as a result of coronavirus, food retailers have come together to ask their customers to support each other to make sure everyone can get access to the products they need.'

British Retail Consortium members sent a joint letter to consumers - who are frightened stiff of contracting the life-threatening bug - asking everyone to work together to ensure there is enough food for the country.

Retailers are currently working 'round the clock' to help customers get the items they need, the BRC said. The letter aims to reassure customers, while calling on them to support each other during the crisis.

It said: 'We know that many of you are worried about the spread of coronavirus (Covid-19).

Coronavirus fears have taken a stranglehold on British public life, and were amplified yesterday when Boris Johnson tacked to ban mass gatherings.

The government also advised anyone with a cough to isolate themselves for seven days, triggering mass stockpiling.

Ministers were also in consultation with businesses about staff working from home to prevent the spread of the disease.

Surrey Quays' Tesco Extra saw huge at the tills as people continued to panic buy in south east London

People are rushing to superstores (pictured, Sainsbury's in London) to grab goods before the coronavirus peaks

Toilet roll shelves have been completely raided at Sainsbury's in London immediately after it opened at 7am

Shoppers were shocked after spotting a person wearing a full hazmat suit at a Tesco store in Somerset on Friday

Consumers shop in near empty aisles of a supermarket in London on Friday as consumers worry about product shortages

Consumers shop in near empty aisles of a supermarket in London on Friday afternoon, with numerous empty packages left by the aisle

FRANCE AND SPAIN IN VIRUS LOCKDOWN France is set to go on lockdown with all non-essential public locations to close tonight as the coronavirus death toll in the country soars to 91. Restaurants, shops, cinemas, nightclubs and cafés will shut for the foreseeable future with French Prime Minister Edouard Philippe calling the virus the 'biggest health crisis in a century'. Mr Philippe also called on French people to reduce their travel, especially between towns. In a solemn TV address on Saturday evening, Mr Philippe said the indefinite shut down would apply to 'all places that receive the public but which are not essential to the life of the country.' Spain also has been placed under a nation-wide lockdown as the Prime Minister bans people from leaving homes except for work or to buy groceries as part of desperate measures to tackle the outbreak of deadly coronavirus as cases soar. Prime Minister Pedro Sanchez announced the restrictions on movement on Saturday following a huge spike in the number of cases with over 5,700 people infected in this nation of some 46 million people. Advertisement

Britain is currently in the 'delay' phase of Downing Street's four-pronged strategy to tackle the virus, meaning officials have accepted a major outbreak is inevitable but are trying to postpone the peak until the summer when the NHS is under less strain.

This step-change in the government's approach means that millions are likely to stay at home and avoid public areas.

So while the nation rushes to the shops, other usually bustling areas, especially in central London, were eerily quiet.

One trade body, UK Hospitality, has announced that the job security of hundreds of thousands of people working in cafes, hotels and bars is under threat unless laws are changed before May.

Oxford Street was almost deserted this morning, while shoppers were spooked from visiting Carnaby Street.

Shopping areas in Birmingham, Cambridge, and Bristol were also deserted, as Britain continues to sink into coronavirus hysteria and Prime Minister Boris Johnson comes under fire for alleged 'complacency'.

Chinatown, typically a thriving hubbub, has borne the brunt of the stayaway over the past few months, but this fear now appears to be ebbing away.

Several hundred people were on the streets of the small cluster of restaurants and bars, as are several street performers.

Arianna Beadie, 26, said: 'Chinatown is not China, they are very different places! It obviously represents part of the culture but it's not a direct reflection of the country.

'It's really important for small businesses here who rely on tourists to visit and we don't want to take away people's livelihoods.'

Coronavirus deaths in the UK almost double overnight to 21: Ten more patients die while the number of infected increases by one third bringing the total number to 1,140

By Isabella Nikolic for MailOnline

The UK's coronavirus death rate almost doubled overnight as ten more people died, bringing the country's total to 21.

The dramatic rise in deaths comes as Boris Johnson made the decision to ban all mass gatherings and sports events from next weekend.

Professor Chris Whitty, Chief Medical Officer for England, said the ten who died 'were in the at-risk groups'.

The total number of cases in the UK leapt from 820 this morning to 1,140 this afternoon.

As the toll continues to rise, the World Health Organisation said Europe has become the epicentre of the pandemic and Donald Trump confirmed he will be extending Europe travel restrictions to the UK and Ireland from Monday night.

Mr Whitty said: 'I am sorry to confirm 10 further patients who have tested positive for Covid-19 in England have died.

'All 10 individuals were in the at risk groups. I understand this increase in the number of deaths linked to Covid-19 will be a cause for concern for many.

'The public should know every measure we are taking is seeking to save lives and protect the most vulnerable.

'Every single one of us has a role to play in achieving this. If you have a new continuous cough or high temperature, please stay at home for seven days.

'I also encourage everyone to be washing their hands for 20 seconds regularly.

'I offer my sincere condolences to the families and friends who have received this difficult news. I ask that their privacy is respected at this time.'

A woman is pictured wearing a mask on Oxford Street this morning. Commuters around the country said train stations, carriages and car parks seemed deserted compared to normal

The UK's death rate has doubled overnight as a further ten patients died from the coronavirus. The total number of cases in the UK leapt from 820 this morning to 1,145 this afternoon

Professor Chris Whitty, Chief Medical Officer for England, said the ten who died 'were in the at-risk groups'. Pictured is a woman wearing a face mask on a quieter-than-usual Oxford Street this morning

A woman wearing a face mask walks over the Millennium Bridge with her partner as the outbreak of coronavirus intensifies

The number of confirmed cases of Covid-19 across Europe is 40,677 and the number of deaths is 1,553. The World Health Organisation has said that Europe is the new epicentre of the virus

The dramatic rise in deaths comes as Boris Johnson (pictured today chairing a coronavirus meeting at Downing Street) made the decision to ban all mass gatherings and sports events from next weekend

The first UK death from coronavirus was announced on March 5, and Saturday's announcement of 10 deaths is by far the largest number of deaths announced on a single day in the UK since the outbreak took hold.

Meanwhile, a newborn baby in England who has tested positive for coronavirus is likely to be one of the world's youngest patients with the disease.

The infant and its mother both tested positive at a north London hospital and staff who had contact with the pair have been advised to self-isolate.

The mother was rushed to hospital days earlier with suspected pneumonia and she and her child are being treated at separate hospitals, The Sun reported.

The newspaper said the woman was tested at North Middlesex Hospital but the result was not known until after the birth.

North Middlesex University Hospital NHS Trust said: 'Two patients at North Middlesex University Hospital have tested positive for coronavirus.

'One has been transferred to a specialist centre and one is being treated in an isolation room.

'The safety of our patients and staff is our top priority, so in following guidance from Public Health England, we are regularly deep cleaning the areas where the patients are cared for and staff who were in close contact with these patients were advised to self-isolate.'

As the UK death rate doubled, it also emerged that officials are talking to businesses about ways to help millions work from home.

The cranking up of the government's response is also understood to hand police the powers to detain suspected virus victims 'for a limited period' if necessary stop them spreading the infection.

Council care homes will also be given the legal wriggle room to pare back their services if staff shortages make it impossible to continue providing current levels of support for their elderly residents.

The first UK death from coronavirus was announced on March 5, and Saturday's announcement of 10 deaths is by far the largest number of deaths announced on a single day in the UK since the outbreak took hold

Britain's once busy and bustling streets resembled ghost towns this morning and last night as businesses started to announce closure dates amid the coronavirus outbreak. Pictured: Oxford Street this morning

One trade body, UK Hospitality, has announced that people working in cafes, hotels and bars could lose their jobs by May if laws aren't changed. Pictured: A deathly quiet street in Cambridge this morning

One concerned shopper was spotted dressed head to toe in a camouflage suit, complete with face mask and goggles while carrying 27 toilet rolls in Bath