The tally of coronavirus cases in the UK

The UK death toll from coronavirus has reached 335, a rise of 54 since yesterday.

The Department of Health updated the death toll after Scotland and Wales each recorded a further four deaths, and another 46 people died in England.

It comes as Boris Johnson faces growing calls to ramp up lockdown measures across the UK amid worrying pictures of commuters squeezing into packed Tube trains this morning.

The Health Secretary has suggested further measures could be brought in to stop people ignoring social distancing advice, as 6,650 people tested positive for the disease.


A sign telling people to ‘Go home morons’ has been attached to a traffic light on the A64 heading towards the coastal town of Scarborough, North Yorkshire (Picture: PA)

Passengers squeeze on to a busy Central Line train at Stratford station, east London, despite government warnings to stay two metres apart (Picture: AFP )

Toilet rolls and alcohol gel for sale, according to this sign outside a McDonald’s in Gateshead (Picture: Reuters)

Matt Hancock said Britons who do not stay two metres apart were ‘very selfish’ and said the Government was willing to take ‘more action’ if needed to stop coronavirus from spreading.



Over the weekend, more photos emerged showing crowds of people visiting open spaces across many parts of the UK.

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The Government has said it is safe to exercise as long as people keep at least two metres away from other people.

But Labour urged ministers to act now by moving to ‘enforced social distancing’.

Labour leadership hopeful Sir Keir Starmer said: ‘In these extraordinary times, the Government must now set out further compliance measures, such as those introduced in other countries.

‘These are vital days in the battle against the coronavirus.

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‘Any additional measures should sit alongside a national plan of action to support people to cope, including the most vulnerable and the self-employed.’

Emergency legislation that would grant powers aimed at tackling the pandemic will be debated by MPs later.

Speaking on BBC Radio 4, the Health Secretary said he did not know why some people were ignoring the Government’s advice.

‘It’s very selfish,’ Mr Hancock said. ‘The NHS is doing everything it can and preparing for the spread of this virus.

A commuter wears a face mask as a precaution in Edinburgh (Picture: AFP)

‘If people go within two metres of others who they don’t live with then they’re helping to spread the virus – and the consequences of that costs lives and it means that, for everyone, this will go on for longer.’

Mr Hancock said ministers were prepared to take stricter measures to clamp down on the spread of the virus if necessary.

Asked by the BBC whether he would move to telling people not to go out at all rather than simply advise against it, he said: ‘Yes, and on Saturday I signed the order to give the police the power to be able to shut bars, restaurants and pubs if they are still open.

‘This isn’t the sort of thing I ever wanted to do but it is the sort of thing as a nation we have to be prepared to see to stop this virus. These are unpleasant and very difficult times.’

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The Government has confirmed that all major hospitals have received deliveries of personal protective equipment needed by frontline staff and that a hotline has been set up for NHS workers to ring if there are shortages in their area.



Mr Hancock also told the BBC that 12,000 ventilators are now available after last week’s appeal by the PM, up from 5,000 that the NHS had access to previously.

Shadow health secretary Jonathan Ashworth said: ‘After another weekend of apparent public confusion and widespread non-compliance with ‘social distancing’, of grave scientific warnings and brave medical professionals talking of being sent to work like ‘lambs to the slaughter’ with inadequate protective equipment, something has to change.

‘Other countries have taken further far-reaching social distancing measures. We now call on the Government to move to enforced social distancing and greater social protection as a matter of urgency.’

What does self-isolation mean? Self-isolation means staying indoors and avoiding all contact with other people for 14 days, according to the NHS. It means no going to work, school, the shops or even to the park for some fresh air, in order to minimise the risk of passing on Covid-19. Public transport and taxis are a no-no and you shouldn’t have visitors over, even if you just stay at home. Anyone in self-isolation is advised to ask friends, family and delivery drivers to pick things up for you and drop them-off. You should put a sign outside telling people you are self-isolating and everything should be left on the floor outside your front door to avoid the risk of further infections. You should leave a sign outside your property if you have to self-isolate (Picture: PA)

Those who are self-isolating are still advised to stay away from their pets as much as possible and to wash their hands before and after touching them. If you live in a house share and have to self-isolate, the advice is to stay in your room with the door closed and only emerge to use communal kitchens, bathrooms and living areas if absolutely necessary. Who should self-isolate? The government advises anyone returning from Category 1 areas (Hubei, Iran, Italy and Daegu or Cheongdo in South Korea), to go straight home and self-isolate, even if they don't display any symptoms. Travellers should use the 111 online coronavirus service to find out what to do next. Anyone returning from Category 2 areas should self-isolate and call 111 if they have Covid-19 symptoms. You can find the list of those places here.

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