NHS will tell 1.4 million British people to isolate themselves from Monday

About 1.4 million vulnerable people in Britain will be told on Monday to isolate themselves coronavirus outbreak, as death toll in the UK is 144.

Health Minister Matt Hancock said today that Britons identified as vulnerable will receive a letter from the NHS and told what specific actions to take to protect themselves from the deadly virus.

The 1.4 million people include anyone with an underlying health condition, such as those who usually get an NHS flu shot and those with a weakened immune system.

Anyone over 70 is also advised to be “particularly strict in following social distance measures.”

But those who are at even greater risk of becoming seriously ill from the virus, including recipients of donor organs, those undergoing active chemotherapy or radiotherapy, those with blood cancer, and those with severe breast disease, are now also getting more tailored advice.

The coronavirus has killed 144 people so far and infecting 3,269 in Britain, with both toll rates rising rapidly every day.

Mr. Hancock told Sky News: “The first thing we are going to do is state exactly under what conditions that applies.

“We expect about 1.4 million people to get a message from the NHS saying they are part of this and what to do.

Many of these people have pre-existing health problems and so will be very concerned right now, and I understand that, and they will need very specific actions – for example, how are you going to still get your chemo if you have cancer while also taking a social distance?

“If you have cancer, it’s especially important to stay away from other people, but of course you should also continue your chemotherapy.”

He added, “These are some of the most difficult and challenging cases, so we’ll get in touch with them, but if people think they’re on this list and aren’t getting a message from the NHS, they also need to get in touch.

“So that’s on the way, the money was announced yesterday. A combination of money for the NHS and money for municipalities because they play a very important role in protecting people. ‘

Mr Hancock also said the government is investigating “very, very carefully” why there is a coronavirus hotspot in the West Midlands after it has recorded the highest death toll outside London.

And he suggested that more stringent measures might be needed if people don’t follow government advice.

He told the BBC’s breakfast program, ‘What I can say is that if people follow the advice, stay at home, save lives, and if they keep their distance from others – over six feet, over six feet – we can and we can turn the tide.

‘The scientists advise that we can turn the tide within 12 weeks if people follow the advice. If people do not follow the advice, it will take longer and we may need to take more and tougher measures. ‘

Mr Hancock said the UK had taken action earlier than Italy, which has now suffered more deaths than China.

“But we are absolutely sure that we have the powers, if need be – in fact, we now have a bill for Parliament to further strengthen those powers.

“But I think it’s much better if people follow the advice.”

Mr. Hancock said that some retired physicians who return to work in the NHS to fight the coronavirus may “come right back.”

It comes when the NHS has launched its ‘Your NHS Needs You’ campaign urging thousands of retired health professionals to return to the frontline.

The warning to vulnerable people comes after both the British Chief Medical Officer and the government’s chief scientific adviser told young adults that they would not ‘blow through’ the coronavirus and beg them to stay indoors.

Despite calls from the government to limit social contact and stay indoors, youth across the country were spotted on trips to pubs and clubs.

Surprising new data released Wednesday evening shows that 29 percent of the first 2,500 cases of coronavirus in America were people between the ages of 20 and 44.

Of that number, 20 percent were hospitalized and 12 percent placed in intensive care units. About 55 percent of the cases were all under age 65.

And brash revelers continue to flock to pubs across the country, ignoring calls that push for social distance to prevent the spread of the disease.

Furious critics also beat JD Wetherspoon’s boss today for refusing to shut down pubs despite warnings that they could endanger lives amid the coronavirus crisis.

CEO Tim Martin told BBC Radio 4 today that closing down pubs was ‘over the top’, despite warnings from the government’s chief scientific adviser that bars are a breeding ground for the deadly virus.

Mr. Martin told it BBC that pubs should open a ‘sensible balance’, but take measures for ‘social distance’, such as not standing at the bar, using cards and sitting at separate tables.

Prime Minister Boris Johnson insisted yesterday that Britain can turn the tide in 12 weeks – but advocated that Londoners should obey the advice on “social isolation” more strictly.

The prime minister said he knew how much was being asked of the public, insisting he was sure the outbreak could be “dispatched.”

He said it was “absolutely essential” to follow the guidelines to stay out of bars and cafes and avoid unnecessary contact.

But he warned that obedience to the rules in part of London was “patchy”, suggesting that there should be a crackdown soon – although he insisted it wouldn’t be a total shutdown.

“It is vital that people follow that advice and there is a tremendous amount of evidence that they are,” said Johnson.

But (there is) some evidence that it is very patchy in some parts of the capital and in some areas where people may not follow it the way we need.

“Maybe we should consider moving on.”