Coronavirus: Britain could end up like Italy, PM Johnson warns

London: Britain’s National Health Service (NHS) could be “overwhelmed” by the coronavirus like the Italian health system in just two weeks, Prime Minister Boris Johnson has warned.

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The death toll in Italy reached almost 5,000 on Saturday, while in the UK it hit 233.

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In comments carried in the Sunday Telegraph and other Sunday newspapers, Johnson again urged Britons to stay at home to stop the spread of the virus.

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“Unless we act together, unless we make the heroic and collective national effort to slow the spread – then it is all too likely that our own NHS will be similarly overwhelmed,” he said.

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“The Italians have a superb health-care system. And yet their doctors and nurses have been completely overwhelmed by the demand,” Johnson noted.

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Read more

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• Why Britain’s economy is facing a double whammy

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He advised people to keep away from elderly parents on Mothering Sunday (March 22).

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“The single best present that we can give … is to spare them the risk of catching a very dangerous disease,” he said.

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Earlier, Britain urged 1.5 million people identified by the NHS as being at higher risk of severe illness if they contract coronavirus to not leave their homes to protect themselves.

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On Friday, Johnson effectively closed down the United Kingdom, ordering pubs, restaurants, theatres, cinemas and gyms to shut their doors to fight the virus.

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Stores are also starting to shut.

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