UK coronavirus cases jump to 115

'We will continue to try to contain this virus. However, it is now highly likely that the virus is going to spread in a significant way', government spokesperson says

The number of coronavirus cases in the UK has increased to 115, the Department of Health has announced, with the first death related to the virus confirmed in Berkshire.

The figure is an increase of 30 from Thursday, with Public Health England confirming at least eight of the new patients were infected within the UK.

The cases include a further 25 people in England as well as previously reported cases in Wales, Scotland and Northern Ireland.

"As of 9am this morning, 25 further patients in England have tested positive for COVID-19. 17 were diagnosed who had recently travelled from recognised countries or from recognised clusters which were under investigation." the government's chief medical officer Professor Chris Witty said.

"Eight contracted the virus in the UK and it is not yet clear whether they contracted it directly or indirectly from an individual who had recently returned from abroad."

"This is being investigated and contact tracing has begun.

“The total number of confirmed cases in England is now 105. Following previously reported confirmed cases in Northern Ireland, Wales and Scotland, the total number of UK cases is 115.”

Meanwhile Berkshire NHS Trust confirmed the first death of a patient in the UK who had contracted the virus.

The deceased, described as an older patient with underlying health conditions, is understood to have tested positive for the virus last night.

It comes as the spread of the virus continues across the globe, with the latest figures from the European Centre for Disease Prevention Control putting the worldwide infection rate at 93,315 cases with 3,282 confirmed deaths.

Prime minister Boris Johnson was briefed by the chief medical officer and chief scientific adviser following a meeting of the Scientific Adviser's Group for Emergencies (SAGE), with a spokesman confirming the government was now looking into how it would delay the further spread of virus if the severity of the spread increased.

Mr Johnson's official spokesman said: "We will continue to try to contain this virus. However, it is now highly likely that the virus is going to spread in a significant way.

"Officials will therefore accelerate work on preparations for the 'delay' phase of the government's plan, focusing on steps we can take to seek to delay the spread of the virus.

"This will include detailed work on the optimum time to introduce further measures."