Coronavirus death toll in UK rises to 177 with 40 more deaths in 24 hours as battle continues

THE coronavirus death toll in UK today rose to 177 with 40 more deaths in 24 hours as the country went into lockdown.

More than 700 new cases were recorded in a day - hitting 3,983 up from 3,269 as pubs, restaurants and other venues were told to close from tonight.

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The jump in fatalities marks a 30 per cent rise in 24 hours from 144 deaths across the UK.

Seventy-two of the overall 177 deaths have so far been recorded in the capital - with 18 recorded in the past 24 hours.

The patients killed by the bug were aged between 50 and 99, with all suffering underlying health conditions.

And Boris Johnson today vowed "we will get through this together" as he introduced drastic new measures that saw pubs, clubs and restaurants to close their doors tonight.

The drastic measures came after pictures showed boozed-up Brits spilling out of clubs and bars in recent days.

He pleaded with the public to stay indoors as he made the unprecedented announcement.

Speaking tonight, the PM said: "Bit by bit, day by day, by your actions, your restraint and your sacrifice, we are putting this country in a better and stronger position, where we will be able to save literally thousands of lives, of people of all ages, people who don't deserve to die now.

"We are going to defeat this disease with a huge national effort to slow the spread by reducing social contact."

STAY AT HOME

The new figures came as Health Secretary Matt Hancock today warned around 1.4million Brits could be told to self-isolate on Monday due to the bug.

Experts say that older people and those with underlying health conditions are more susceptible to the deadly bug, which has infected at least 3,983 people in the UK.

Mr Hancock added: "These are some of the most difficult and challenging cases so we'll be getting in contact with them, but if people think that they are on this list and don't receive a communication from the NHS, then they also need to get in contact.

"So that is under way, the money was announced for it yesterday. A combination of money to the NHS and money to councils because they've got a very big part to play in keeping people safe."

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Boris Johnson last night said British experts expect to start trials for a vaccine against Covid-19 within a month, although expectations are that a vaccine will take at least a year.

It comes as the Queen issued a rallying cry telling Brits to pull their weight in the fight against COVID-19 and avoid the pub and panic buying.

She said: "I am certain we are up to the challenge.

"Our history has been forged by people and communities coming together to work as one."

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And a retired seaman who was pictured looking sadly at his shopping list when confronted by empty shelves today slammed selfish panic-buyers.

Anthony Glynn, 79, captured the nation's hearts when a photograph showing him sadly staring at his shopping list went viral online after the shelves had been stripped bare.

He said: "We are in the middle of a national crisis, but everybody is just out for themselves. I was livid when I was in Sainsbury’s because it shows you what a greedy society we have become."

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