Coronavirus death toll in England rises to 167, NHS says
Scientific advisors to UK government say country could face ‘most of a year’ of social-distancing
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Your support makes all the difference.A further 39 people have died after testing positive for coronavirus, NHS England said on Friday.
This brings the total number of confirmed reported deaths in England to 167, and to 184 for the UK as a whole.
The latest figures come as the government has said the UK could face “most of a year” of social-distancing measures in an effort to reduce the burden of the outbreak on the NHS, which is already under major strain.
The guidance was revealed as chancellor Rishi Sunak prepared to unveil new protections for workers with livelihoods threatened by coronavirus.
Boris Johnson said on Thursday the UK could “turn the tide” against the pandemic within the next 12 weeks if the public followed government advice.
But the government’s scientific advisory group for emergencies (SAGE) has said the UK may need to implement measures during which the population alternates between “periods of more and less strict social distancing” in order to have any chance of keeping the number of critical care cases low enough not to overwhelm resources.
“These [measures] would need to be in place for at least most of a year,” the statement from the group said.
On Friday afternoon Mr Johnson is expected to announce new measures for London which could close pubs, restaurants, cinemas and gyms, according to reports.
The prime minister is expected to impose the measures at a meeting of officials on Friday afternoon, according to the Press Association.
Shops, however, are likely to be able to remain open for the time being.
The new measures to tackle the spread of the virus come after the prime minister said the government would not rule out taking “further and faster measures” than the social distancing instructions already outlined.
London has been more severely affected by the virus than other parts of the UK so far, but there has been concern many people have continued to socialise in pubs and attend gyms around the city.
Tom Stainer, chief executive of consumer group Campaign for Real Ale (Camra), told PA: “If pubs across London close to stop people gathering, it is important that the government makes clear what services they can still offer, such as allowing people to take away food and drink.”
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