PM orders pubs, restaurants and gyms to close across the UK

Friday, 20 March 2020 17:19

Boris Johnson has ordered cafes, pubs, bars, restaurants and gyms to close from tonight in a bid to stop the spread of coronavirus.

It comes after the total number of people who have died in the UK after contracting COVID-19 rose to 177 after England saw 39 more deaths - the biggest rise in a day.

There were 3,269 confirmed cases in the UK recorded by Thursday evening - that figure will be updated later today.

A third person in Wales died after contracting COVID-19 - a 71-year-old with underlying health conditions.

Northern Ireland also confirmed testing there had resulted in nine new positive cases, bringing the total number of confirmed cases in Northern Ireland to 86.

Northwick Park hospital in Harrow, north London, declared a "critical incident" on Friday afternoon due to a surge in COVID-19 cases.

It said its critical care unit has hit capacity due to the number of patients.

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