AN ARMY of over 750,000 coronavirus volunteers have signed up to help NHS workers in an incredible display of public spirit.
Communities minister Robert Jenrick revealed so many had signed up they’d had to pause recruitment.
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Mr Jenrick was speaking at the Government’s daily coronavirus press conference.
He said: “We’ve all been moved by the number of people who’ve signed up to be one of the NHS volunteers.
“When this is done, and it will be done, we all want to be proud of the part we’ve played together.
“Nobody’s pretending this will be over in a few weeks.
“If we all play our part, if we all follow the very clear medical advice, then we can turn the tide of this virus.”
It comes as the UK coronavirus death toll rose to 1,228 after 209 more deaths were announced today.
There are currently 19,522 in Britain who have tested positive for Covid-19.
Yesterday the head of NHS England warned Britain would have done “very well” if there are less than 20,000 coronavirus deaths.
Stephen Powis urged Brits not to be “complacent” and said we must lock down to save lives and beat the killer disease.
The NHS England medical director said: “If we can keep deaths below 20,000 we will have done very well in this epidemic.
“If we do reduce the levels to below the level which we thought, that won’t be because we are somehow lucky, it won’t be because the virus is somehow acting differently in this country.
“It will be because the British public complied with the advice given.”
This week, the Prime Minister will send a letter to all British households, warning the situation will “get worse before it gets better”.
Boris, who is self isolating after testing positive for covid-19 wrote: “It’s important for me to level with you — we know things will get worse before they get better.
“But we are making the right preparations and the more we all follow the rules, the fewer lives will be lost and the sooner life can return to normal.”
He also warns that further lockdown measures could be enforced if needed, writing: “We will not hesitate to go further if that is what the scientific and medical advice tells us we must do.”
