More on KentOnline
More on KentOnline
The government has announced two further temporary hospitals will be built in response to the growing coronavirus pandemic, "with more to follow."
NHS chief Simon Stevens said he had given the go ahead on two more NHS 'Nightingale hospitals' in Manchester and Birmingham, as it was also revealed Prime Minister Boris Johnson and the Health Minster Matt Hancock have tested positive for the virus.
He said: "We're taking the extraordinary action to build new hospitals in very short order, starting with the NHS Nightingale hospital in East London.
"And because this is a problem across the whole country, I have given the go ahead for two further NHS hospitals, beginning with the Birmingham NEC and the Manchester Central Convention Centre."
Mr Stevens gave no further details on where other temporary hospital sites would be built, but did say there would be more to follow. KentOnline reported new facilities could also spring up across the county.
He did however say the "equivalent of 50 hospitals" had been freed up for coronavirus patients.
The government also revealed 18,000 medical staff have returned to the NHS this week in the fight against coronavirus and said that testing would be "dramatically stepped up" over the weekend and next week to allow more to return to work.
Michael Gove led the press conference, after Boris Johnson announced he had tested positive for Covid-19.
The Prime Minister made the shock announcement on his Twitter account, saying he was now self-isolating after developing mild symptoms in the last 24 hours and testing positive.
Health Secretary Matt Hancock and the government's chief medical officer Chris Whitty have also been tested positive for the virus, and are now both self-isolating.
Follow our live blog for today's coronavirus updates:
5.30pm
The government's deputy chief medical officer has said it could be 'some time' before the country returns to normal.
Dr Jenny Harries, told a Downing Street press conference this afternoon that people should not expect to get back to 'normal life' for six months or even longer.
Dr Harries said people should not be viewing the coronavirus crisis as something that will blow over soon.
4.30pm
Raiders have tried taking advantage of quiet surroundings during the nationwide lockdown by attempting to break-in to two Whitstable businesses.
Three youths aimed to force their way into the Rose in Bloom pub, while over in the town centre, police have launched an investigation into a burglary at The Rock Lodge restaurant.
CCTV images show three people loitering outside the Rose in Bloom, in Joy Lane, in the early hours of Saturday morning.
2.50pm
The number of coronavirus deaths in the UK has risen by 209 in the last 24 hours, from 1,019 to 1,228, according to the latest figures.
The increase is the second biggest rise in cases nationally, but is 51 fewer than yesterday.
The number of coronavirus infections across the country has risen from 17,089 yesterday to 19,522 confirmed cases.
England saw the majority of cases and deaths, with 190 dead aged between 39 and 105, and all but four had underlying health conditions.
Sunday, March 29.
6pm - health secretary thanks social care staff
Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, Matt Hancock - who has tested positive for the virus - has published an open letter to the social care workers, thanking them for going the 'extra mile'.
4.15pm - support for companies and workers, plus more hand sanitizer
At today's Downing Street briefing, business secretary Alok Sharma announces that insolvency rules will be relaxed to give struggling companies a chance to survive the crisis. Workers unable to take their annual leave can now defer their annual leave for another two years.
Meanwhile, he says the government is taking steps to bring more hand sanitizer to the market in a matter of days.
4pm - 50 more cases in county
The number of cases of coronavirus in Kent has increased by 50 to 280.
Of these cases, 50 are from Medway, a rise of two on yesterday's figures. The figure for the rest of the county has risen by 48.
3.55pm - surgeon dies at London hospital
An organ transplant consultant in London has become the first working NHS surgeon to die from the virus in the UK, the BBC reports.
Dr Adel El Tayar, 63, originally from Sudan, died on Wednesday at a hospital in London.
3.45pm - free wedding offer to an NHS hero
A Kent company is giving away a free wedding in support of the NHS as health service staff battle the coronavirus outbreak.
The firm in Gravesend has announced that it will be offering a free wedding and bridal gown to an "NHS hero" nominated by the public. Read more here.
2.20pm - police spot people 'playing golf'
Officers are reporting some unhelpful sights...
...but others are heeding the advice to stay indoors
2pm - number of deaths from coronavirus in the UK goes past 1,000
Latest figures show that 1,019 people hospitalised in the UK have now died of coronavirus, as of 5pm yesterday.
As of 9am today, a total of 17,089 people have tested positive, out of 120,776 people tested.
12.19pm - another cabinet member in isolation
Scottish secretary Alister Jack is self-isolating after showing symptoms of coronavirus. Yesterday both Boris Johnson and Matt Hancock confirmed they are also self-isolating.
12.11pm - 'I can go and see my babies'
A woman who posted videos of herself struggling with coronavirus while in hospital has been allowed to go home. Read more here.
This was Karen just a few days ago.
11.14am - 'let our dogs roam free'
The RSPCA wants councils to relax restrictions on where dogs can be walked because of the coronavirus pandemic.
This is both to help curb the spread of the disease and protect canine welfare. Read more here.
10.50am - woman spat in in shop
A mother of three was left horrified when a woman spat in her face in a Chatham corner shop and shouted "I hope you get coronavirus."
Police are now appealing for information after the attack which left Katherine Lucraft shaken and fearing she might catch the highly contagious virus and infect her children. Read more here.
10.40am - Kent hospitals triple critical care beds
Hospitals in Kent have made some big changes to help staff cope with the ongoing coronavirus.
In just a few weeks the number of critical care beds across the hospitals in the county have tripled. Read more here.
9.35am - English Football League and coronavirus
The English Football League say "difficult decisions will have to be made".
The EFL met with the Premier League and the Professional Footballers' Association on Friday to discuss the "growing seriousness of the Covid-19 pandemic".
8.18am - ghost towns
Most town centres and bustling hives of activity on a Saturday morning. But not at the moment.
8.04am - home alone
If you're finding it hard stuck at home alone, here are some handy tips that can help you cope.
7.13am - Blitz spirit
There has been a lot of talk about fighting the coronavirus being like fighting a war. But while we were told during the second world war to 'keep calm and carry on', in these unusual circumstances we're told to stay home, protect the NHS and save lives". Here, we look back at some of the incredible stories and pictures which show how the people of Kent coped the last time we were faced with an unprecedented crisis...
7.04am - rough sleepers
Yesterday it was announced all local authorities had to provide accommodation for their homeless.
Two of our reporters went out to talk to some of the people living on our streets. Read what they found out here.
