Coronavirus UK: Fifth person dies from Covid-19

Third fatality announced within 24 hours is Epsom patient in their 70s

A fifth person in the UK has died after contracting the coronavirus, an NHS Trust has said.

They are the second coronavirus patient to be announced dead on Monday. Both were in their 70s with underlying health problems.

The first was being treated at a Wolverhampton hospital, and the latter at St Helier hospital in Epsom.

The patient in Wolverhampton is believed to have contracted the virus on British soil, England’s chief medical office Chris Whitty said, adding that NHS officials are tracing those with whom they had been in contact.​

It comes as the number of UK cases rose by 46 to 319 on Monday, with the prime minister and senior health officials warning the country could soon move past the “containment” phase of the outbreak.

The government’s action plan has three stages - contain, delay and mitigate.

Moving to the delay stage would likely see the introduction of “social distancing” measures – such as banning large events, closing schools and encouraging people to work from home, which were mulled by ministers at a Cobra meeting chaired by Boris Johnson on Monday.

Announcing the fourth fatality, in the House of Commons, Matt Hancock said the scientific advice was clear that progressing to the next phase too early created its own risks.

“Throughout, our approach is guided by the science. That is the bedrock on which we base all our decisions,” the health secretary told MPs.

At a press conference with the prime minister, Mr Whitty expanded on this further, warning citizens “will understandably get fatigued” if more extreme measures – such as those seen in Italy – are brought in too soon.

However, he said those with minor respiratory infections and fevers will soon be asked to self-isolate for at least seven days.

Additional reporting by agencies