Covid-19: Confirmed cases jump to 373 and sixth person dies in UK

NHS England has confirmed a sixth person has died in the UK in just five days after testing positive for coronavirus in Hertfordshire.

The Department of Health announced on Tuesday afternoon, that 54 more people across the UK have tested positive for coronavirus, bringing the total to 373.

The department said, “as of 9am 10 March 2020, a total of 26,261 people have been tested for coronavirus, 25,888 negative.”

West Hertfordshire Hospitals NHS Trust confirmed the UKs latest coronavirus related death.

In a statement the hospital said, “Sadly, we can confirm that a man who was being cared for at Watford General Hospital, and had tested positive for Covid-19, has died.”

“The patient, who died in the evening of Monday March 9, was in his early 80s and had underlying health conditions.

“His family has been informed and our thoughts and condolences are with them at this difficult and distressing time.”

Leading scientists have compared the UK is looking likely to be on the same trajectory and have compared the rate of coronavirus infections to that of Italy.

University College London biology professor, Dr Francis Balloux said, “The trajectory of the epidemic in the UK is so far roughly comparable to the one in Northern Italy, but with the epidemic in Northern Italy two to three weeks ahead of the situation in the UK.”

The news comes after the UK’s deputy chief medical officer Dr Harries has said, the UK will see “many thousands of people” contract coronavirus.

On Tuesday afternoon the Health Secretary Matt Hancock has told the House of Commons on Tuesday that all GP appointments are to be held via video link “with immediate effect.”

The public will be able to access primary medical care through the use of phones and digital means as the British government are now adopting a “digital first” approach.

Hancock told the Commons, “We’re taking steps to improve access by making sure people can access primary care in the best possible way.