国际英语资讯:UK coronavirus death toll hits 21 as confirmed cases top 1,100_时事

国际英语资讯:UK coronavirus death toll hits 21 as confirmed cases top 1,100

LONDON, March 14 -- The novel coronavirus death toll has reached 21 as of Saturday in Britain as the number of confirmed cases totalled 1,140, according to the latest figures released by the British Department of Health and Social Care.

The new figures showed an increase of 342 confirmed COVID-19 cases in Britain, the largest rise on a single day since the start of the outbreak in the country. Ten more patients who contracted coronavirus died, bringing the death toll in Britain to 21.

All the 10 patients who died were aged over 60 and had underlying health conditions, said Chris Whitty, chief medical officer for England.

国际英语资讯:UK coronavirus death toll hits 21 as confirmed cases top 1,1001

According to health authorities, most of the cases are in England. There have been 121 confirmed cases in Scotland, 60 in Wales and 34 in Northern Ireland.

The British government said on Friday that it estimated the true number of infected cases in Britain to be around 5,000 to 10,000. People who are self-isolating with mild symptoms are no longer being tested for the virus.

"I understand this increase in the number of deaths linked to COVID-19 will be a cause for concern for many," Witty said.

Whitty urged those with a cough or high temperature to stay at home for seven days in a bid to stop the spread of the virus. "The public should know every measure we are taking is seeking to save lives and protect the most vulnerable," he said.

The British government announced Thursday that the country has switched from the "containment" phase to "delay" in response to the spread of virus, a move to encourage more "social distancing" among the British people.