Coronavirus cases in UK leap to 87 as medical chief warns ‘significant epidemic likely’ and Brits ‘will die’

CORONAVIRUS cases in Britain have seen their biggest daily spike to date with the number of confirmed infections now at 87.

It comes as companies Sony and Nike shut down their UK offices in London and Sunderland and ordered deep cleans of their buildings last night.

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At least four of the new cases involve patients infected within the UK as health experts warn a 'significant pandemic' could be just weeks away.

The 34 new cases represent the biggest 24-hour hike in the virus as its spread appears to be accelerating.

Professor Chris Whitty, chief medical officer for England and Wales, said: "29 patients were diagnosed who had recently travelled from recognised countries or from recognised clusters which were under investigation.

"Three additional patients contracted the virus in the UK and it is not yet clear whether they contracted it directly or indirectly from an individual who had recently returned from abroad.

"This is being investigated and contact tracing has begun."

The Department of Health confirmed more than 16,500 people have so far been tested.

It comes as:

• England's Chief Medical Officer warned a number of Brits will die in a 'significant epidemic'
• The new James Bond film postponed for SIX MONTHS over coronavirus fears
• NHS hospitals at highest level emergency & told to test all critical patients
• Schools could be shut for months and police scaled back in worst-case scenario
• Cases across the world set to top 100,000 with more than 3,000 dead

Professor Whitty warned the UK will experience a number of deaths as the outbreak takes hold.

He said: "It's much more likely than not that we're going to deal with a significant epidemic.

"It is almost certain there will be more cases, probably a lot of cases, and we would expect some deaths.

"It's when it's going from person to person to person and then we pick it up - that's what we mean by community transmission.

"It is likely that will be happening, if not now, but soon. I think it's likely to be happening at the moment, not definite."

The health chief added commuters and shoppers wearing face masks will have 'little effect' on stopping the spread of the virus.

The Queen did not wear gloves as she carried out her duties at Buckingham Palace yesterday, after covering her hands for the first time while handing out gongs on Tuesday.

The Monarch shook hands as she met the President of Malta George Vella and his wife Miriam in the palace's 1844 room.

A royal source said Buckingham Palace is following Government advice.

Meanwhile, the release of new James Bond film No Time To Die was postponed by six months until November over fears coronavirus would hammer its box office takings.

NEW CASES CONFIRMED

Kings College hospital confirmed last night that two recent patients have tested positive for the deadly bug.

NHS North Cumbria revealed a hospital worker in her 30s and her boyfriend contracted the virus during a trip to northern Italy but has not had any contact with patients.

Wythenshawe Hospital in Manchester also released a statement a patient has tested positive for the virus.

Two cases were confirmed in Ribble Valley, Lancashire, after a couple returned from an Italian break.

One confirmed case in Scotland is understood to work at Aberdeen-based Food Standards Scotland. It is not known what duties the employee had carried out after returning from Italy.

Kingston Academy in Surrey became the latest school to confirm a pupil has tested positive for coronavirus after recently returning from an affected area overseas.

Accountancy giant Deloitte closed part of its offices in Holborn, London, after a member of staff tested positive following a holiday in Asia.

Meanwhile, employees at Hinkley Point C power station in Somerset have been told a Chinese national working at the plant in recent weeks has tested positive after returning to his homeland.

Prime Minister Boris Johnson has urged Brits to thoroughly wash their hands, protect elderly relatives and follow public health guidance in a bid to slow the spread of the virus.

It is hoped by delaying the peak of infections until the summer it will ease pressure on the NHS, which could be forced to bring doctors and nurses out of retirement to deal with cases.

The NHS has declared its highest level of emergency to fight the disease.

The elderly are most at risk from the virus and doctors are urging people to stay away from vulnerable relatives if they are ill.

The death rate from coronavirus in China - where the virus first spread - has been ten times higher in over 70s compared to those aged under 59.

Brits have been warned a worst-case scenario could see up to 80 per cent of the population catching the virus.

Police could be told not to deal with low-level crime and only focus on serious cases to make sure they can keep up with their work.

The Army could be drafted in to guard high-profile sites such as Parliament and Buckingham Palace, allowing armed cops to be reassigned to other duties.

Schools could also be closed for up to three months - putting this summer's A-Level and GCSE exams under threat.