UK hospitals have refrigerated lorries as ‘make-shift morgues’

Hospitals have drafted in refrigerated lorries and are to use them as make-shift morgues after the UK recorded its highest coronavirus death toll.

The UK reported 8,681 new cases of coronavirus on Friday, the highest number of new daily cases thus far, which was the second highest in the world.

With 8,958 deaths, a staggering 12% of total cases have died, figures suggest that out of the 8,681 confirmed cases, over 1,000 of them will die.

The known coronavirus death toll saw an increase of 980 in just one day, experts and the NHS are bracing themselves for the peak.

Sunderland Royal Hospital was filmed with five refrigerated lorries outside the hospital as a precautionary measure.

Channel 4’s Clare Fallon said: “The staff in here and in hospitals know the reality that they are not able to save everyone.

“Now outside this hospital, there is a stark illustration of the reality of what we are facing at the moment.

“Refrigerated lorries have been prepared to be used as make-shift mortuaries of we reach that point.

“It really shows the seriousness and the scale of what we are dealing with.”

During the Downing Street daily press conference, the deputy chief medical officer for England, Professor Jonathan Van-Tam, warned it’s “premature” to think the UK has reached its peak.

Professor Van-Tam warned, “We are in a dangerous phase still.

“It’s premature to say we are at a peak and the push we are making with social distancing just has to continue.”

Boris Johnson is now up and walking again after leaving intensive care and recovering, Downing Street have confirmed on Friday.

A statement from Number 10 said: “The prime minister has been able to do short walks, between periods of rest, as part of the care he is receiving to aid his recovery.

“He has spoken to his doctors and thanks the whole clinical team for the incredible care he has received.

“His thoughts are with those affected by this terrible disease.”

According to experts who are advising the British government on the coronavirus outbreak, said the social distancing measures are working better than expected.

However, the coronavirus lockdown will last for “several more weeks” as there can be no relaxation until the UK has past the peak.

NHS England’s national medical director Stephen Powis said it was “critical” that people obeyed the instructions and stayed at home.

Powis said, “We are beginning to see the benefits of this social distancing. We do believe the virus is spreading less.

The UK has exceeded Italy’s daily death rate before hitting the coronavirus peak, and an expert warns it could get much worse.