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The UK has reported 1,950 coronavirus cases and 71 deaths. Here's what we know about how the virus is spreading across Britain.

coronavirus ukReuters

  • The UK has reported 1,950 coronavirus cases and 71 deaths linked to the virus.
  • 14 more deaths were announced on Tuesday. One victim was a 45-year-old with underlying health conditions.
  • Boris Johnson said: "We are engaged in a war against the disease which we have to win."
  • Chancellor Rishi Sunak announced huge financial support for businesses and workers on Tuesday.
  • This included £330 billion worth of loans for businesses which need support and the suspension of some mortgage payments.
  • The UK government is set to introduce a range of new emergency laws like giving police the power to detain people with coronavirus who are not self-isolating.
  • Johnson on Monday told Brits to work at home and avoid all social contact for the foreseeable future.
  • The prime minister has asked Britain's biggest manufacturers to help the NHS by developing medical ventilators.
  • Visit Business Insider's homepage for more stories.

A total of 1,950 people have been diagnosed with coronavirus in the UK and 71 people have died.

14 more deaths relating to the COVID-19 virus were announced on Tuesday, including a 45-year-old man with underlying health conditions. A total of 71 people in the UK have died after contracting the virus.

Boris Johnson on Tuesday told government ministers: "We are engaged in a war against the disease which we have to win."

His Chancellor Rishi Sunak on Tuesday announced huge financial support for businesses and workers impacted by coronavirus. This included £330 billion worth of loans to businesses which need them.

On Monday the prime minister told British people to work from home, avoid all pubs, clubs, and other venues, and encouraged people to avoid mass gatherings.

Anyone with symptoms, or anyone who lives with someone experiencing symptoms, has been told to self-isolate at home for 14 days.

"We need people to start working from home where they can and you should avoid pubs, clubs and other venues," he said.

The coronavirus causes a respiratory disease known as COVID-19. More than 5,000 people have died and more than 145,000 others have been infected worldwide, mostly in China. Cases have been recorded in at least 105 countries.

The UK has seen a rising number of cases of "community spread," which describes people with no known exposure to others with the virus or travel history to countries where outbreaks have been reported.

For the latest global case total, death toll, and travel information, see Business Insider's live updates here.

Carry on reading below for the latest updates on how the virus is spreading across Britain.

Kieran Corcoran, Alison Millington, and Rachel Hosie contributed reporting to this post.

BBC postpones filming of Eastenders and other shows

Reuters

Filming on popular BBC shows like EastEnders, Casualty, and Holby City will be postponed "until further notice" due to the outrbreak of coronvirus, the BBC has said in a statement.



Police will be able to detain coronavirus carriers under the government's new emergency coronavirus laws

Paul Hackett/Reuters

Police will have the power to temporarily detain people who have caught coronavirus but are not self-isolating under emergency measures being prepared by the UK government.

Boris Johnson's government will put The Emergency Coronavirus Bill before Parliament on Wednesday. 

If as expected it passes into law, it will allow:

  • Police and immigration officers to detain people who are a risk to public health
  • Retired health and social care workers to return to work
  • The creation of a compensation fund for people who take emergency leave from their jobs to volunteer in public services like the NHS
  • The government to shut down schools and mass gatherings
  • Ministers to close down ports and other transport hubs if there are staff shortages

Health Secretary Matt Hancock said: "The new measures we will be introducing in the Emergency Coronavirus Bill this week will only be used when it is absolutely necessary and must be timed to maximise their effectiveness, but crucially they give the government the powers it needs to protect lives.

"By planning for the worst and working for the best we will get through this, but this is a national effort and we must all work together — from businesses prioritising the welfare of their employees, to people thoroughly washing their hands.

"I also want to pay tribute to our brilliantly selfless NHS and social care staff who are working tirelessly to care for our friends and loved ones in this unprecedented period."



The government is to announce emergency measures for renters

Chris J Ratcliffe/Getty Images

UK Housing Secretary Robert Jenrick is due to make an announcement on how the government will protect renters whose incomes are disrupted by coronavirus.

Business Secretary Alok Sharma said on Wednesday morning that Jenrick would shortly be making an announcement.

Boris Johnson and Chancellor Rishi Sunak are under pressure to protect renters after failing to mention them in the emergency measures revealed on Tuesday evening.

Sunak said there will be mortgage holidays for people who are struggling to pay them, meaning they will not have to make payments for three months.




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