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Coronavirus Kent: Live updates on the impact of Covid-19 pandemic across the county

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A total of 381 more people have died from coronavirus in the UK's hospitals, including seven in Kent.

That's the highest daily jump yet following two consecutive days of decline. It brings the total to 1,789.

The number is the highest daily rise in deaths
The number is the highest daily rise in deaths

Meanwhile, it has been revealed there were an extra 79 million shopping trips were made leading up to lockdown. Shoppers also spent an extra £1.9 billion on groceries before social distancing measures were brought in.

The statistics, collected by market researchers Neilsen, refer to the four weeks up to March 21. Boris Johnson put the country in to lockdown on March 23.

Elsewhere, Dominic Raab, the UK's foreign secretary and the man who would take over the running of the country should self-isolating Boris Johnson become unwell with coronavirus, announced the government and various airlines are on a mission to fly tens of thousands of stranded Brits back home.

The scheme costing £75 million should be up and running within a week.

More than 9,000 people are in hospital suffering from Covid-19 and that number has been rising steadily over the past week.

The message remains "things will get worse before they get better" with a peak in cases expected within "two to three weeks" before a stabilisation and gradual decline, said the chief scientific advisor Patrick Vallance.

While 180 people had died in 24 hours yesterday that number was lower than Sunday's figure which was in turn lower than the one announced on Saturday.

Follow our live blog for today's coronavirus updates:

8.40pm

A 13-year-old has died from coronavirus at King's College Hospital, believed to be the youngest victim in the UK.

8.02pm - Ireland

There have been 17 more Covid-19 deaths in Ireland, bringing the total to 71.

6.53pm - Prisons

In total 65 inmates at 23 prisons have tested positive for coronavirus and the Ministry of Justice says pregnant inmates who don't pose a significant risk to the public will be released temporarily.

5.10pm - Press briefing

A total of 10,767 people are in hospital with Covid-19, says Michael Gove.

Of those almost 4,000 are in London while the Midlands has 1,918 people hospitalised a number which is "accelerating upwards".

Thousands of new ventilators will be with the NHS by next week, he adds, while the UK needs to go "further, faster" to up testing.

National medical director Stephen Powis says he's "pleased to say the Great British public" are heeding social distancing advice.

There has recently been a "bit of a plateau" in new cases but we are "not out of the woods we are very much in the woods" and while there are "green shoots" we should not be complacent.

"This is going to take time and it is important we stick with it," he concludes.

4.55pm - Case numbers

Ahead of the daily press briefing a recap on the statistics from the UK.

Of 143,186 people have been tested of which 25,150 were positive, 3,000 more than yesterday. That's just over 17% compared to 16% yesterday.

As mentioned deaths have jumped by 381 in 24 hours to 1,789.

While that's by far the highest figure to date it's worth remembering the majority of those deaths relate to people who became ill prior to strict lockdown rules being brought in.

It is likely to be a few days before the effect of lockdown will be seen in the daily death figures.

Globally 3,393 people have died in the US, more than China and only just behind Italy and Spain.

3.49pm - More deaths confirmed

The Department of Health has revealed as of 5pm yesterday 381 more people had actually died in 24 hours.

That figure is only those who have died in hospital but covers the whole of the UK.

In total 1,789 have died.

The Office for National Statistics are collating data on all deaths including those outside hospitals.

4.30pm - NHS app

A coronavirus app could be a huge help to the fight against Covid-19.

Similar ones have been used in South Korea - a nation which was quick to get a grip on the pandemic.

The idea is everyone with the app would be tracked and if one user tests positive for the virus everyone who has had contact with them can be traced.

The NHS is thought to be working on the project.

2.40pm - 367 more deaths

NHS England has said an additional 367 people have died from Covid-19 in the past 24 hours - the highest daily jump yet and significantly more than yesterday's 180 increase.

That includes seven in Kent - five at Maidstone and Tunbridge Wells, one in Medway and one in East Kent.

The youngest victim was 19 and oldest was 98 and all bar 28 had pre-existing health conditions.

2pm - Wales' death toll rises

In Wales there have been 112 new cases of Covid-19 reported bringing the total number to 1,563 and seven further deaths bringing the total to 69.

Meanwhile accountancy firm EY will be brought in to advise on bailout requests from UK airlines and airports.

1pm - NHS

Medics with visas due to expire will have them extended by a year so they can focus on the coronavirus fight, the Home Office says.

A further 13 people have died in Scotland bringing the total to 60.

11am - Cases in Spain

Spain has recorded the biggest daily rise of deaths as the total reaches 8,189. In the last 24 hours there has been 800 deaths.

10.20am - Blue hearts for NHS staff

Thank you notes, blue hearts and rainbows have been left outside a Kent hospital in tribute to the NHS workers fighting the coronavirus outbreak.

The tributes outside the William Harvey Hospital in Ashford are the result of a community effort to show gratitude to those fighting on the frontline against Covid-19. Read more here.

9.57am - Still putting the miles in

One man has taken advice to stay close to home when exercising quite literally, as he ran a marathon in his own backgarden.

James Page, from Sidcup in Bexley, had been training for an ultra-marathon in the Sahara desert, followed by the London Marathon, but both were postponed due to the coronavirus pandemic. Read more here.

9.35am - GP shares her symptoms

GP Stephanie De Giorgio talks about her coronavirus journey from her home where she is isolating with her family
GP Stephanie De Giorgio talks about her coronavirus journey from her home where she is isolating with her family

A former Deal GP who contracted suspected Covid-19 while working in an A&E ward has spoken of her coronavirus experiences both on the ward and at home as a recovering patient.

Dr Stephanie De Giorgio was treating people with the killer respiratory condition at Queen Elizabeth Queen Mother Hospital (QEQM) in Margate before she became unwell on Monday, March 16. Read more here.

9.24am - Keep on running

Folkestone Running Club haven’t lost their competitive edge.

The national lockdown has seen all racing and social events wiped off the calendar but head coach Catherine O’Connor is keeping them focussed. Read more here.

8.55am - Care home closure stopped

A consultation aimed at getting views on the future closure of a care home is to be paused in light of the coronavirus outbreak.

Kent County Council (KCC), which runs and manages Blackburn Lodge in Broadway, Sheerness, asked people to submit their opinions on its future in January. Read more here.

8.25am - Flights suspended

British Airways is set to suspend all flights to and from Gatwick Airport amid falling demand as a result of the coronavirus.

In an email sent to members of staff, the firm says it was forced into making the decision by government-imposed travel restrictions and the challenging business environment.

The airline will, however, continue to run reduced services from Heathrow.

8.15am - Chuckle Brother reveals shock diagnosis

A star of a much-loved children's programme has announced he has contracted Covid-19.

Chuckle Brothers actor Paul Chuckle says he has been "laid-up" with mild symptoms of the illness.

The 72-year-old starred in the comedy alongside his late brother, Barry.

8am - ICYMI: £1m generated by doctor's PPE fundraiser

An Ashford doctor has raised more than £1m to get frontline NHS workers vital protective gear as they continue to battle the coronavirus.

Dr Salaj Masand, who works at the William Harvey Hospital, helped set up the appeal in the hope of providing more personal protective equipment (PPE) to the health service.

The 40-year-old said: "We've all heard stories about doctors and nurses having to buy their own PPE from the internet or DIY stores. The products aren't good enough and frankly neither is that situation."

7.50am - what we've learned about home working

Since the UK was put into lockdown a week ago, workers across the country are still getting used to doing their jobs remotely.

Consequently, the potential for a full agenda of mishaps, conference calls of shame, and testing technology remains ever present.

KentOnline has compiled a snapshot of some of the issues workers are grappling with. Read it here.

7.30am - masks to be sent to hospitals and GP practices

Health chiefs fear that doctors and nurses are being put in danger as a result of "life-threatening shortages" of personal protective equipment.

The government is being urged by the British Medical Association to outline the steps staff should take if they feel unsafe.

However, ministers insist more masks and cleaning products will be delivered to NHS trusts and doctors' surgeries.

7am - hand sanitiser from Chatham

Copper Rivet is making hand sanitiser to be used by the Met police.

Director of commercial services for the force Mark Roberts said: “Hand sanitiser is an essential item for our officers and staff, especially those on the frontline. So I am extremely grateful to all of the suppliers who have agreed to work with us and provide us with this vital commodity, which will help prevent the spread of COVID-19 and ultimately save lives.

“I’d also like to say a special thank you to Budweiser Brewing Group UK&I, which is very kindly going to donate 6,000 litres of this critical product to us.

“It shows the importance and necessity of everyone working together in these challenging times.”

For the latest coronavirus news and advice, click here

Read more: All the latest news from Kent

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