37 more people in England aged between 18 and 102 have died, bringing the UK total to 281. This includes 10 deaths in Scotland, 12 in Wales and 2 in Northern Ireland.

The Government will ask 1.5m most vulnerable people to self-isolate for at least 12 weeks as Boris Johnson warned that people must follow guidelines or he will have to bring forward 'tough measures'

The NHS will contact the elderly and those with serious health conditions by post tomorrow then, followed by a text and phone call, urging them to stay home.

Medicines will be delivered by community pharmacists, while military personnel are helping to coordinate plans to deliver groceries with local councils and supermarkets.

Robert Jenrick, the communities secretary said the Government had to “shield the most vulnerable to save their lives.”

He said: “If you are one of these people I want to assure these people on behalf of the Government that you are not alone."

Boris Johnson warned that if the public can’t follow social isolation measures then: "I'm afraid we're going to have to bring forward tougher measures."