The UK death toll from the infection is now up to 233.  Doctors fear the NHS  will soon be overwhelmed by sick patients.  On Saturday night Mr Johnson said: “The best thing is to ring her, video call her, Skype her, but to avoid any unnecessary physical contact or proximity.”

“And why? 

“Because if your mother is elderly or vulnerable, then I am afraid all the statistics show that she is much more likely to die from coronavirus.”

 The PM warned: “We cannot disguise or sugar coat the threat.”

 The death toll in Italy is at nearly 5,000.

More to follow…