The number of people diagnosed with coronavirus in the UK has risen to 51, health secretary Matt Hancock said.
Health secretary Matt Hancock confirmed the climb in parliament today after the UK recorded four more cases yesterday to take the total to 39.
The government today outlined worst-case scenario measures if the UK coronavirus outbreak gets worse. they include banning large gatherings, encouraging people to work remotely and drafting in the army to act on standby.
Chief medical officer Chris Whitty said: “Probably around one per cent of people who get this virus might end up dying.”
“As of 9am today there were 51 confirmed cases in the UK and it is becoming more likely we will see widespread transmission here in this country,” Hancock told MPs.
“The situation facing the country is increasingly serious. Globally and at home the number of cases continues to rise.”
It follows Prime Minister Boris Johnson earlier warning a further spread of the coronavirus in Britain is likely as he laid out the government’s plan to combat the Covid-19 outbreak.
One measure is to prevent large gatherings of people after a string of international events were cancelled on the coronavirus crisis.
That has sparked fears over UK events like the London Marathon, with organisers saying they are “closely monitoring” developments.
But Hancock today told parliament that it is “far too early” to cancel the event, which is eight weeks away.
