There has been cause for panic as the United Kingdom recorded its biggest daily increase in coronavirus cases, with 87 people now confirmed to have the virus.
UK announced that thirty-six new patients in the UK have tested positive for COVID-19, the disease caused by coronavirus, it was announced on Wednesday – with 32 in England, two in Scotland and two in Northern Ireland.
Sky news reported the Department of Health said three of the new cases in England contracted the virus in the UK, raising fears that community transmission may now be taking hold.
Of the 87 cases in the UK, there are 80 in England, three in Scotland, three in Northern Ireland and one in Wales.
Four new cases were also confirmed in the Republic of Ireland on Wednesday, bringing the total in the country to six. The new cases – two males and two females – had travelled from northern Italy and were reported to be members of the same family.
Professor Chris Whitty, England’s chief medical officer who warned of a possible outbreak, and further deaths highlighted a six-week window in which the UK’s action could be stepped up.
He said the disease was spreading significantly across the world, including Europe, so it was unlikely the UK would “escape” a major hit, which he said could last for up to several months.
“With all epidemics, what happens is they start off very slowly and then they gradually gather momentum and then they suddenly go up relatively fast,” he told Sky News’ Kay Burley@Breakfast show.
“[It’s] almost certain there will be more cases in the UK, probably a lot more cases… and we would expect some deaths.”
There has been cause for panic as the United Kingdom recorded its biggest daily increase in coronavirus cases, with 87 people now confirmed to have the virus.
UK announced that thirty-six new patients in the UK have tested positive for COVID-19, the disease caused by coronavirus, it was announced on Wednesday – with 32 in England, two in Scotland and two in Northern Ireland.
Sky news reported the Department of Health said three of the new cases in England contracted the virus in the UK, raising fears that community transmission may now be taking hold.
Of the 87 cases in the UK, there are 80 in England, three in Scotland, three in Northern Ireland and one in Wales.
Four new cases were also confirmed in the Republic of Ireland on Wednesday, bringing the total in the country to six. The new cases – two males and two females – had travelled from northern Italy and were reported to be members of the same family.
Professor Chris Whitty, England’s chief medical officer who warned of a possible outbreak, and further deaths highlighted a six-week window in which the UK’s action could be stepped up.
He said the disease was spreading significantly across the world, including Europe, so it was unlikely the UK would “escape” a major hit, which he said could last for up to several months.
“With all epidemics, what happens is they start off very slowly and then they gradually gather momentum and then they suddenly go up relatively fast,” he told Sky News’ Kay Burley@Breakfast show.
“[It’s] almost certain there will be more cases in the UK, probably a lot more cases… and we would expect some deaths.”
