Twelve more coronavirus cases are diagnosed in the UK

Twelve more coronavirus cases were diagnosed in the UK today, just moments after Prime Minister Boris Johnson unveiled the Government's 'battle plan' to tackle a major outbreak of the killer infection on British soil. 

Health Secretary Matt Hancock confirmed the number of COVID-19 cases had jumped overnight to 51 in the House of Commons, warning the situation facing the UK is 'increasingly serious' as fears grow of a crisis.

Mr Johnson today published the Government's action plan, as he warned a major outbreak in Britain is now 'highly likely'. It could see police ignore low-level crime if coronavirus takes hold in the UK. 

Troops could be deployed on the streets, infected patients not suffering could be sent home from hospital, and non-urgent NHS operations could be cancelled to free up space in overwhelmed hospitals. 

It comes after a travel agent in Norbiton, south London, was today shut after an employee tested positive for the deadly infection, which has infected more than 92,000 people in almost 80 countries.

Elsewhere, London's prestigious Guildhall School of Music and Drama was closed after a teacher tested positive for the killer coronavirus and a secondary school in the Wirral also shut after a parent was infected.  

At least four teachers are now thought to have been infected in the UK, with staff members in Berkshire, Gloucestershire and Wimbledon already struck down. 

The shelves of British supermarkets are emptying at pace and staples are being rationed as experts have warned of 'food riots' if the crisis worsens. 





MAILONLINE