Virus ‘accelerating’ in Britain

LONDON: Prime Minister Boris Johnson warned on Sunday the coronavirus outbreak was "accelerating" as the UK government told 1.5 million people most at risk to stay at home for 12 weeks.

Johnson’s warning came amid a growing debate about whether people are taking warnings to socially distance from each other seriously enough and whether or not government should enforce stronger restrictions.

"The numbers are very stark, and they are accelerating," said Johnson. "We are only a matter of weeks - two or three - behind Italy. The Italians have a superb health care system. And yet their doctors and nurses have been completely overwhelmed by the demand."

The PM’s plea came after latest health department figures showed that 233 people have died from COVID-19 in the UK, with the number of those testing positive for the virus standing at 5,018. The government has outlined emergency legislation to give police, public health and immigration officers extra powers to contain the outbreak.