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A fifth person has died from coronavirus in the UK just hours after another patient in his 70s passed away.

The latest victim, also in their 70s, was being treated at St Helier Hospital, in Carshalton, Sutton, London.

The fatality comes after the number of coronavirus cases in the UK shot up to 321.

Daniel Elkeles, chief executive for Epsom and St Helier University Hospitals NHS Trust, said: "We can confirm that sadly, a patient in their seventies who was very unwell with a number of significant and long-term health conditions has passed away at St Helier Hospital.

"They had tested positive for Covid-19.

"Our thoughts and condolences remain with the patient's family and loved ones at this difficult time."

Professor Chris Whitty, Chief Medical Officer for England, also confirmed the death.

He said: "I am very sorry to report a fifth patient in England who tested positive for COVID-19 has sadly died.

"I offer my sincere condolences to their family and friends and ask that their privacy is respected.

"The patient, who was being treated at the St Helier Hospital, was in their seventies and had underlying health conditions.”

In a message posted on Epsom and St Helier University Hospitals NHS Trust's website earlier today, bosses urged potential coronavirus patients to stay away from the trust's hospitals.

Instead those showing symptoms were urged to go on 111.nhs.uk/service/covid-19 for advice or call NHS 111.

The website update states: "We are receiving lots of enquiries about appointments at our hospitals and in the community.

"Our services are unaffected and running as normal.

"All scheduled appointments will continue as normal, unless patients have been individually contacted and told otherwise.

(Image: AFP via Getty Images) (Image: Getty Images)

"Please be advised, if you are experiencing symptoms that are similar to those of the coronavirus you should not attend our hospitals or have a home visit from our community services."

It comes just hours after a patient in their 70s died from the virus.

He suffered from underlying health conditions and was being treated in Royal Wolverhampton Hospital.

(Image: PA)

Professor Chris Whitty, Chief Medical Officer for England had said earlier: “I am very sorry to report that a fourth patient in England who tested positive for COVID-19 has sadly died.

“I offer my sincere condolences to their family and friends and ask that their privacy is respected.

“The patient, who was being treated at the Royal Wolverhampton Hospital, was in their seventies and had underlying health conditions.

"It appears the virus was acquired in the UK and full contact tracing has begun."

(Image: Anadolu Agency via Getty Images)

Meanwhile Brits with even a minor fever or respiratory illness will have to self isolate within around two weeks the Chief Medical officer has warned.

Professor Whitty said that “probably within the next 10-14 days” there will be “a situation where we say everybody who has even minor respiratory tract infections or a fever should be self isolating for seven days afterwards”.

Prime Minister Boris Johnson also told a press conference this evening that the UK was gearing up to move from the first step of containing the virus to delaying its spread.

And Dr Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus, director-general of the World Health Organization, has warned that the threat of a pandemic is now ‘very real’.

He said: “Now that the coronavirus has a foothold in so many countries, the threat of a pandemic has become very real.

“But it would be the first pandemic in history that could be controlled. The bottom line is: we are not at the mercy of this virus

“We need to remember that with decisive, early action, we can slow down the coronavirus and prevent infections. Among those who are infected, most will recover.”

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