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Coronavirus: Staying home this weekend 'not a request', UK told Coronavirus: Staying home this weekend 'not a request', UK told
(32 minutes later)
Staying at home this weekend is an instruction and "not a request", Health Secretary Matt Hancock said as he updated the country on the coronavirus. Staying at home this weekend is an instruction and "not a request", Health Secretary Matt Hancock has said, as he updated the country on the coronavirus.
Speaking at the No 10 briefing, Mr Hancock said that while warm weather was forecast in some areas this weekend "the disease is still spreading".Speaking at the No 10 briefing, Mr Hancock said that while warm weather was forecast in some areas this weekend "the disease is still spreading".
Meanwhile, England's chief nursing officer Ruth May paid tribute to two nurses who have died from the disease. England's chief nursing officer Ruth May also paid tribute to two nurses who have died from the disease.
"Please stay at home for them," she urged people."Please stay at home for them," she urged people.
Areema Nasreen, 36, had spent weeks in intensive care with coronavirus, while Aimee O'Rourke, 39, died at the hospital where she worked.Areema Nasreen, 36, had spent weeks in intensive care with coronavirus, while Aimee O'Rourke, 39, died at the hospital where she worked.
"They were one of us, they were one of my profession, of the NHS family," said Ms May. "I worry that there's going to be more and I want to honour them today and recognise their service.""They were one of us, they were one of my profession, of the NHS family," said Ms May. "I worry that there's going to be more and I want to honour them today and recognise their service."
It comes as latest figures showed a further 684 people with the virus died in the UK, bringing the total to 3,605. There are 38,168 confirmed cases.It comes as latest figures showed a further 684 people with the virus died in the UK, bringing the total to 3,605. There are 38,168 confirmed cases.
In Scotland, the number of deaths has risen by 46, while in Wales a further 24 people died. In NI, the number of people who died with coronavirus has risen by 12.In Scotland, the number of deaths has risen by 46, while in Wales a further 24 people died. In NI, the number of people who died with coronavirus has risen by 12.
Mr Hancock - who had recently ended his seven days of self-isolation after contracting the virus - said: "We cannot relax our discipline now. If we do, people will die. Mr Hancock - who recently ended his seven days of self-isolation after contracting the virus - said: "We cannot relax our discipline now. If we do, people will die.
"I end with the advice we all know. This advice is not a request - it is an instruction."I end with the advice we all know. This advice is not a request - it is an instruction.
"Stay at home, protect lives and then you will be doing your part.""Stay at home, protect lives and then you will be doing your part."
The warning follows messages from local councils, tourism bosses and police urging people to stay away from beauty spots, as the Easter holidays begin and warm weather is expected.The warning follows messages from local councils, tourism bosses and police urging people to stay away from beauty spots, as the Easter holidays begin and warm weather is expected.
Mr Hancock also said the UK has set up three national clinical trials looking at how existing drugs can be altered to treat Covid-19.Mr Hancock also said the UK has set up three national clinical trials looking at how existing drugs can be altered to treat Covid-19.
He added that more patients are needed to volunteer to take part in the trials - but England's deputy chief medical officer later clarified that people cannot apply themselves and it was up to doctors to refer patients.He added that more patients are needed to volunteer to take part in the trials - but England's deputy chief medical officer later clarified that people cannot apply themselves and it was up to doctors to refer patients.
'Stay at home for nurses''Stay at home for nurses'
Ms May also appealed to the public to stay at home, saying: "This weekend is going to be very warm and it will be very tempting to go out and enjoy those summer rays.Ms May also appealed to the public to stay at home, saying: "This weekend is going to be very warm and it will be very tempting to go out and enjoy those summer rays.
"But please, I ask to remember Aimee and Areema. Please stay at home for them.""But please, I ask to remember Aimee and Areema. Please stay at home for them."
Also mentioned in Friday's daily update:Also mentioned in Friday's daily update:
New cases have been slowing down recently: dipping slightly at the weekend and growing more slowly this week (doubling roughly every five days). Even that trend would have predicted over 5,000 new cases today, and so this looks like further evidence that the case numbers could be slowing down (as long as every patient who needs testing is getting tested).New cases have been slowing down recently: dipping slightly at the weekend and growing more slowly this week (doubling roughly every five days). Even that trend would have predicted over 5,000 new cases today, and so this looks like further evidence that the case numbers could be slowing down (as long as every patient who needs testing is getting tested).
Today's figures on deaths follow the recent trends closely (doubling roughly every 3.5 days).Today's figures on deaths follow the recent trends closely (doubling roughly every 3.5 days).
Remember that doubling every few days means that we should expect to see record new highs regularly.Remember that doubling every few days means that we should expect to see record new highs regularly.
It takes more than three weeks from infection to death to being reported in these figures.It takes more than three weeks from infection to death to being reported in these figures.
So while we can hope to see the effects of pre-lockdown social distancing soon, it will take longer for the effect of the lockdown, announced on 23 March, to become apparent.So while we can hope to see the effects of pre-lockdown social distancing soon, it will take longer for the effect of the lockdown, announced on 23 March, to become apparent.
Meanwhile, the Queen, 93, will speak to the nation on Sunday evening about the coronavirus outbreak in a rare special address.Meanwhile, the Queen, 93, will speak to the nation on Sunday evening about the coronavirus outbreak in a rare special address.
Buckingham Palace said the message, recorded at Windsor Castle, will be broadcast on TV and radio at 20:00 BST.Buckingham Palace said the message, recorded at Windsor Castle, will be broadcast on TV and radio at 20:00 BST.
The Queen's address will be broadcast on TV, radio and social media, Buckingham Palace said. She has been staying at Windsor Castle since mid-March as a precaution.The Queen's address will be broadcast on TV, radio and social media, Buckingham Palace said. She has been staying at Windsor Castle since mid-March as a precaution.
It is only her fourth special address at a time of national crisis during her 68-year reign. The other occasions were after the Queen Mother's death in 2002, ahead of Diana, Princess of Wales's funeral in 1997, and during the First Gulf War in 1991.It is only her fourth special address at a time of national crisis during her 68-year reign. The other occasions were after the Queen Mother's death in 2002, ahead of Diana, Princess of Wales's funeral in 1997, and during the First Gulf War in 1991.
The Queen also made a televised address to mark her Diamond Jubilee in 2012.The Queen also made a televised address to mark her Diamond Jubilee in 2012.
The monarch, 93, released a statement about the outbreak last month, when the number of UK deaths stood at 144.The monarch, 93, released a statement about the outbreak last month, when the number of UK deaths stood at 144.
She said the UK was "entering a period of great concern and uncertainty" and praised the work of scientists, medics and emergency staff, saying everyone has a "vitally important part to play".She said the UK was "entering a period of great concern and uncertainty" and praised the work of scientists, medics and emergency staff, saying everyone has a "vitally important part to play".
BBC royal correspondent Nicholas Witchell said Sunday's speech had been decided "in close consultation with Downing Street" as "they have had it in their minds for some days now".BBC royal correspondent Nicholas Witchell said Sunday's speech had been decided "in close consultation with Downing Street" as "they have had it in their minds for some days now".
He suggested the speech might include thanks for NHS staff and key workers, as well as an emphasis on the important role individuals can play - while also aiming to reassure and rally people.He suggested the speech might include thanks for NHS staff and key workers, as well as an emphasis on the important role individuals can play - while also aiming to reassure and rally people.
The heir to the throne, Prince Charles, was seen in public for the first time on Friday after being diagnosed with coronavirus and spending seven days in self-isolation.The heir to the throne, Prince Charles, was seen in public for the first time on Friday after being diagnosed with coronavirus and spending seven days in self-isolation.
He opened the first of the National Health Service's emergency field hospitals to treat coronavirus patients in east London's ExCel centre, via a video-link from his home on the Queen's Balmoral estate.He opened the first of the National Health Service's emergency field hospitals to treat coronavirus patients in east London's ExCel centre, via a video-link from his home on the Queen's Balmoral estate.
Meanwhile, Prime Minister Boris Johnson, who announced he had contracted the virus last Friday, said he will carry on self-isolating after continuing to display mild symptoms of the virus including a high temperature.Meanwhile, Prime Minister Boris Johnson, who announced he had contracted the virus last Friday, said he will carry on self-isolating after continuing to display mild symptoms of the virus including a high temperature.