Corona Virus

22/3/2020 Coronavirus: Boris Johnson in Mother's Day warning amid concern for NHS - BBC News
Boris Johnson has warned the NHS could be "overwhelmed" if people do not act to slow the
"accelerating" spread of coronavirus, as he urged the UK not to visit loved ones on Mother's Day.
The PM called on the public to join a "heroic and collective national effort" and follow social distancing
advice.
The number of people who have died in the UK with coronavirus rose to 233 on Saturday, as cases topped
5,000.
It comes as NHS England plans to write to 1.5 million people most at risk.
Those at-risk people will receive letters or text messages strongly advising them not to go out for 12 weeks to
protect themselves, the government said.
They include people who have received organ transplants, are living with severe respiratory conditions such
as cystic fibrosis or specific cancers, such as blood or bone marrow.
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In a message to the country on Saturday evening, Mr Johnson said: "The numbers are very stark, and they
are accelerating.
"The Italians have a superb health care system. And yet their doctors and nurses have been completely
overwhelmed by the demand.
"The Italian death toll is already in the thousands and climbing. Unless we act together, unless we make the
heroic and collective national effort to slow the spread - then it is all too likely that our own NHS will be
similarly overwhelmed."
He said the UK is only "two or three" weeks behind Italy, adding that he recognised the government was
imposing measures "never seen before either in peace or war" - but said they were essential.
There have been 220,000 cases of the virus worldwide with more than 9,000 deaths.
Italy has seen its death toll for the past month reach 4,825, the highest in the world.
'Cannot sugar-coat threat'

As families prepare to celebrate Mother's Day on Sunday, Mr Johnson said the best single present for
mothers was to stay away.
It comes after the government this week told all restaurants, cafes and pubs - as well as some other
public spaces like gyms and cinemas - to close.
"This time, the best thing is to ring her, video call her, Skype her, but to avoid any unnecessary physical
contact or proximity," the PM said.
https://www.bbc.com/news/uk-51991887 1/10
"And why? Because if your mother is elderly or vulnerable, then I am afraid all the statistics show that she is
much more likely to die from coronavirus, or Covid-19. We cannot disguise or sugar-coat the threat."
How can you celebrate Mother's Day safely?
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'I lost my job because of coronavirus'
On Friday, Mr Johnson was asked at his daily press conference whether he would be visiting his own mother,
who is 77. He said he would "certainly be sending her my very best wishes and hope to get to see her".
A Downing Street source later said his contact with his mother on Sunday would be over Skype.
A SIMPLE GUIDE: What are the symptoms?
AVOIDING CONTACT: Should I self-isolate?
STRESS: How to protect your mental health
LOOK-UP TOOL: Check cases in your area
MAPS AND CHARTS: Visual guide to the outbreak
Meanwhile, the government has said members of the Armed Forces will help ensure essential items like
groceries can be delivered to people who are at-risk.
Those identified as the most vulnerable in their communities will be contacted directly as a priority.
Dr Paul Johnstone, from Public Health England, said: "The NHS are contacting the people who are most
vulnerable to developing a very serious illness as a result of Covid-19 with specific advice to stay at home for
at least 12 weeks.
"If you receive a letter it is vitally important that you act on it for your own protection, don't attend any
gatherings of friends or families and don't go out for shopping, leisure or travel."
Elsewhere, Mayor of London Sadiq Khan echoed the PM's call for social distancing, and described the
coronavirus pandemic as the "biggest health, social and economic emergency we have faced since the
second world war".
Writing in the Observer, Mr Khan said while the UK was at the beginning of attempts to halt the viruses
spread, "we will be living with the consequences for many years to come".
An unprecedented health emergency has led to an unprecedented challenge for government.
Over the last few days we have seen decisions made that would have been scarcely seemed possible just a
fortnight ago.
There's another one today - 1.5 million people in England alone will be told not to leave their homes to
protect themselves from the virus.
The concern in government is set out by the prime minister. His warning that the UK could be just a fortnight
behind Italy - and that the NHS could be overwhelmed - is one of the starkest we've heard yet.
It's designed to be so; to persuade us all to follow advice, to stay home and help save lives.
The number of people with coronavirus who have died is now 220 in England, seven in Scotland, five in
Wales and one in Northern Ireland.
The most recent 53 deaths in England were people aged 41 to 94 who had underlying health conditions, the
NHS said.
REUTERS
In other key UK developments:
In the last 48 hours, thousands of retired medics have answered the government's call to return to work
to help with the outbreak - including 4,000 nurses and 500 doctors. Health Secretary Matt Hancock paid
tribute to the "brilliant support", but said "many more" medical workers were needed,
The health service announced it had struck a deal with private hospitals to get hold of thousands of
extra beds, ventilators and medical staff, which will see the private sector reallocate almost of all of its
national hospital capacity to the NHS.
Churches across the country will deliver Sunday services to worshippers over the internet. The Church of
England and the Church of Scotland have now banned mass worship, with the Roman Catholic church
issuing similar advice..
The National Trust has closed its parks and gardens amid fears crowds might flock to them on Sunday for
Mother's Day.
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22/3/2020 Coronavirus: Boris Johnson in Mother's Day warning amid concern for NHS - BBC News

Italy's worst-hit region announces stricter measures

India observes 14-hour coronavirus curfew

What we don't know about coronavirus deaths

'Cannot sugar-coat threat'

How can you celebrate Mother's Day safely?

Australian PM warns of lockdowns to tackle coronavirus

'I lost my job because of coronavirus'

A SIMPLE GUIDE: What are the symptoms?

AVOIDING CONTACT: Should I self-isolate?

STRESS: How to protect your mental health

LOOK-UP TOOL: Check cases in your area

MAPS AND CHARTS: Visual guide to the outbreak

An unprecedented health emergency has led to an unprecedented challenge for government.

In other key UK developments:

View comments 1741

Boris Johnson Coronavirus pandemic Public health NHS Mother's Day

Share this story About sharing

More on this story

Coronavirus: First day of UK cafe and pub coronavirus shutdown

Coronavirus: Shoppers told to buy responsibly

Coronavirus deaths: What we don't know

Coronavirus and chloroquine: Has its use been approved in US?

Coronavirus: How can you still celebrate Mother's Day?

Coronavirus: Last night of the pubs as lockdown begins

Coronavirus: When elderly parents want to carry on socialising

Coronavirus: The rough sleepers who can't self-isolate

Coronavirus: Volunteers flock to join community support groups

Coronavirus: Workers describe being hit by job losses and uncertainty

UK tourists stuck in Peru to be rescued next week

Rough sleepers in London given hotel rooms

No church and religious services due to virus

Italy's worst-hit region announces stricter measures

Australia announces nationwide shutdown

No Russia lockdown as Putin puts on show of calm

Coronavirus to shut India's busiest rail network

How Nigeria's kings lost their power

Art in the age of social distancing

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