Coronavirus death toll in UK rises to 144 with 3,269 cases as killer bug grips country

A 47-year-old was today the youngest life claimed in the past 24 hours by the deadly virus with 16 of the latest deaths recorded in London alone.

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Public Health England said as of 1pm, a total of 144 people had died. Their ages range from 47 to 96 and all had underlying health conditions.

Forty more deaths were recorded in 24 hours up from 104, marking a 38 per cent jump in fatalities - the biggest in one day.

Cases also rose from 2,692 to 3,269 - a 20 per cent rise - with more than 60,000 Brits tested for the bug.

Northern Ireland today recorded its first death, while Scotland's death toll doubled from three to six.

And Boris vowed the UK would send coronavirus "packing" if we follow the drastic social isolating rules.

Ministers today revealed sweeping new coronavirus laws that will see powers introduced that will allow police to arrest suspected virus sufferers.

It comes as...

• The Queen told Brits to 'work as one' in the face of the crisis
• Boris Johnson vowed we would send the bug "packing" in just 12 weeks if we all follow the strict rules
• Emergency legislation was proposed that could see airports shut down
• London's Tube and train shutdown is expected to start this morning
• Schools will be closed across the UK from Friday and exams have been cancelled
• Thugs smashed the doors of a Sainsbury's amid panic buying

Schools across the UK will be shut down by tomorrow as part of the response to the deadly bug.

Exams were also cancelled as Boris Johnson promised the one million 16 and 18-year-olds due to take GCSEs and A-levels they will not be penalised.

London's transport lockdown started from today with 40 Tube stations closed until further notice and the rest of the capital's transport network to be scaled back dramatically.

Across the globe, the number of coronavirus cases surged past 200,000.

Meanwhile, coronavirus is continuing to spread across the UK, with patients including babies to pensioners in their 90s.

Boris this week announced drastic new measures in an attempt to slow the spread of the bug - with confirmed cases worldwide today topping 200,000 worldwide.

The PM promised a £350bn 'war-time' bailout to stop coronavirus from wrecking the economy.

It will be the biggest rescue package in peacetime.

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The PM has warned the nation to avoid pubs, theatres, restaurants and all social gatherings.

And he cautioned: "I stress that although the measures announced are already extreme, we may well have to go further and faster in the coming days to protect lives and the NHS."

Brits were this week advised to work from home where possible as the Foreign Office advised against all non-essential foreign travel for at least 30 days.

Thugs smashed the glass doors of a Sainsbury's in London after stealing alcohol overnight.

Four men aged 20, 21, 21, and 22, were arrested near the scene on suspicion of theft and criminal damage.

It comes as supermarkets have been put under immense strain as shoppers panic buy amid fear of a lockdown due to the spread of the coronavirus.

Shoppers have been pictured brawling over toilet paper and booze as panic set in.

And footage filmed this morning shows hundreds of desperate customers lining up to pay for their items in Romford, East London, a day before the capital faces a total lockdown.

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Yesterday, Sainsbury's announced it would limit sales of every item in its stores as it tries to stamp out panic buying.

Customers will be able to buy a maximum of three of any grocery item and two of the most popular products, such as toilet paper, soap and UHT milk.

And older shoppers will have stores to themselves for the first hour of opening from tomorrow - plus get priority home delivery slots from Monday.

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