Coronavirus patients die in Wolverhampton and Chester as UK death toll doubles

All of the patients were over 60 and some had underlying health conditions, NHS England said.

Men in their 80s being treated at New Cross Hospital in Wolverhampton, the Countess of Chester and City Hospital in Birmingham were among those confirmed to have died on Saturday.

The other patients were being cared for in Buckinghamshire, Leicester, Barts, London and north Middlesex.

Meanwhile the number of positive tests for coronavirus in the UK rose from 798 on Friday to 1,140 on Saturday, with two new patients in Powys among the new cases.

That means there are now five confirmed coronavirus patients in Powys and three in Shropshire but so far no officially confirmed cases in the Telford and Wrekin area.

The amount of people who have actually contracted the virus is likely to be much higher as people reporting mild symptoms are being told to stay at home and not be tested under the latest Government guidance.

Coronavirus updates:

• Elderly men from Wolverhampton and Chester are among 10 new coronavirus deaths confirmed on Saturday.

• The UK death toll rose from 11 to 21 in one day, while the number of confirmed cases increased from 798 to 1,140.

• Two more cases have been confirmed in Powys, bringing the total to five.

• Shropshire's third case was confirmed on Friday but so far no confirmed cases in Telford.

• UK is preparing to introduce much stronger measures and ramp up its public information campaign

• Spain has followed Italy in introducing a national lockdown.

Professor Chris Whitty, chief medical officer for England, said: "I am sorry to confirm 10 further patients who have tested positive for Covid-19 in England have died.

"All 10 individuals were in the at risk groups. I understand this increase in the number of deaths linked to Covid-19 will be a cause for concern for many.

"The public should know every measure we are taking is seeking to save lives and protect the most vulnerable.

"Every single one of us has a role to play in achieving this. If you have a new continuous cough or high temperature, please stay at home for seven days."

Including the two in Powys, 22 new cases were confirmed in Wales today bringing the total number of Welsh cases to 60.

Dr Chris Williams, incident director for the coronavirus outbreak response at Public Health Wales, said: "The process of identifying and contacting close contacts of the new cases is under way, and we are taking all appropriate actions to protect the public's health.

"All patients are being managed in clinically appropriate settings based on the assessment of a specialist infectious disease consultant."

Events cancelled

A long list of major events have now been cancelled or postponed due to coronavirus, despite the UK government not yet banning mass gatherings.

Shrewsbury 10k run was set to go ahead on Sunday, with organisers saying they are following government advice, but other events in the region have been pulled.

The inaugural Welshpool 10k, which was set to take runners through the town centre and the grounds of Powis Castle, should have taken place on March 29 but has now been postponed.

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Organiser Alan Lewis said: "Due to fears for public safety with the growing number of coronavirus cases in the UK, the Welshpool 10k will be postponed to a new date in the future. We will now work with the relevant partners to identify a new and suitable date for our race.

"As you can imagine we are extremely sad about this situation but the safety of the runners, volunteers and local community is the most important part of our event."

Meanwhile the Proms in the Park due to be held at the British Ironwork Centre near Oswestry on May 23 has also been cancelled. The centre said the decision had been taken in conjunction with the Wrexham Symphony Orchestra and other partners.

"It is a large gathering with people seated in close proximity and it was felt best we ensure safety at such an uncertain period. Our visitors' peace of mind and best interests must be prioritised," chairman Clive Knowles said.

"Tickets, which were to have raise money for the NHS, can be refunded.

"Anyone wishing to decline the refund and help us to support the NHS at this time can do so. All money raised through non-refunded tickets sales will be passed to the NHS."

Emergency measures

The first person in the UK to die after being diagnosed with coronavirus was announced on March 5, and Saturday's announcement of 10 deaths is by far the largest number of deaths announced on a single day in the UK since the outbreak took hold.

Plans are now under way to dramatically escalate the UK’s fight against coronavirus with measures to shield the elderly from the disease and plans to isolate entire households.

Boris Johnson will also personally urge manufacturers to shift their production lines to build ventilators as the NHS prepares for a significant increase in cases of Covid-19.

And the Government is in talks with private hospitals about the possibility of taking over beds in a further sign of the pressures that will face the health service at the peak of the coronavirus outbreak.

Retailers have pleaded with shoppers only to buy what they need after items were left out of stock and there were huge queues at supermarkets across Shropshire on Saturday.

Meanwhile an advertising blitz featuring England’s chief medical officer Professor Chris Whitty is being launched to combat the spread of coronavirus.

The public information campaign will hammer home the need for people to self-isolate for a week if they develop a high temperature or a continuous cough.