Conservatives delete tweet after telling people to help stop coronavirus by 'washing their hands for 20 seconds a day'

NHS advice urges public to wash their hands with soap and water frequently throughout the day, for 20 seconds each time

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The Conservative Party has deleted a post mistakenly telling members of the public to wash their hands for “20 seconds a day” in an effort to combat the outbreak of coronavirus.

The erroneous tweet went against official NHS advice, which urges the British public to wash their hands with soap and water frequently throughout the day, for 20 seconds each time.

“Our biggest priority remains to keep the public safe,” the Conservative Party’s press office stated on social media.

“It will take a national effort to get through the coronavirus crisis, at this stage everyone can play their part by washing their hands for 20 seconds a day.”

In response, one journalist drily remarked “don’t shake hands with anyone who works at CCHQ” while another added: “Strong bid for involuntarily self-isolation here.”

It comes after the number of contractions in the UK of covid-19 reached 373 on Tuesday, up by 54 cases the previous day. So far, over 26,000 individuals have been tested for the virus.

The latest figures followed a warning from England’s deputy chief medical officer that the peak of the coronavirus epidemic in the UK was expected within the next fortnight.

Dr Jenny Harries said people will likely be advised to self-isolate as she defended the government’s decision to delay closing schools.

She said experts are assessing new cases on an hourly basis to achieve a “balanced response” to the outbreak, adding: “With 10 to 14 days we will be likely to advise people with symptoms to self-isolate and we are expecting the start of the peak (of coronavirus cases) to come during that period.”