Day: March 21, 2020

    Prime Minister Boris Johnson is set to address the nation again as confirmed coronavirus cases have passed 5,000. The number of people to test positive for coronavirus in the UK as of 9am on Saturday is 5,018 up 1035 in 24 hours. Deaths also rose by 53 to 220. It comes as thousands of pubs, cafes and restaurants usually bustling with weekend customers are empty today after the coronavirus prompted sweeping closures. Meanwhile the private sector allocated almost its entire hospital capacity to the NHS following a historic deal.

    Nearly 20,000 fully qualified staff will join the NHS response to coronavirus after a deal with the private sector which will include 8,000 more hospital beds being made available. National Health Service will also gain access to nearly 1,200 more ventilators and other critical care facilities that have come under intense pressure as the coronavirus crisis intensifies. The deal will give the NHS access to 10,000 nurses, over 700 doctors and more than 8,000 other clinical staff. In London, which has been hit the worst by the coronavirus outbreak, the NHS will now have access to 2000 hospital beds, and over 250 operating theatres and critical beds. NHS chief executive Sir Simon Stevens said they were dealing with an unprecedented global health threat. He said: The ...