First coronavirus patient death in UK confirmed as number of cases hits 116

Jacob Jarvis5 March 2020

A patient with underlying health conditions has died after testing positive for coronavirus, the Royal Berkshire NHS Trust said.

They become the first coronavirus patient to die on UK soil.

A statement from the Royal Berkshire NHS Trust said: “Sadly, we can confirm that an older patient with underlying health conditions has died.

“The patient has previously been in and out of hospital for non-coronavirus reasons, but on this occasion was admitted and last night tested positive for coronavirus."

The patient's family have been informed of the death.

The patient was being treated by the Royal Berkshire NHS Trust
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“The family has been informed and our thoughts are with them at this difficult time," the statement added.

“We will not be commenting further and ask that everybody respects the family’s privacy.”

Commuters, some in masks, cross London Bridge amid the coronavirus outbreak
REUTERS

Chief Medical Officer Professor Chris Whitty, said he was “very sorry” to report the news and offered “sincere condolences” to the family.

He added: “The patient, who was being treated at the Royal Berkshire Hospital, was an older patient who had underlying health conditions.

“We believe they contracted the virus in the UK and contact tracing is already underway.”

Health Secretary Matt Hancock tweeted: “Terribly sad news today that a patient with underlying health conditions has died with coronavirus in Reading. My sincere condolences to their family and loved ones.

“We will work tirelessly to protect the public from this disease.”

Coronavirus - In pictures

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It comes after the number of confirmed cases in the UK hit 116 earlier today.

This includes 105 in England, three in Wales, six in Scotland and three in Northern Ireland.

Londoners wear Coronavirus masks - In pictures

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Just two days ago there were only 51 UK cases. There are 25 confirmed cases now in London alone.

Across the UK some 18,083 have been tested for Covid-19 so far.

There are now also more than 95,300 cases worldwide, as well as more than 3,200 people have died.

The Government has a four-pronged strategy against the novel coronavirus: contain, delay, science and research, mitigate.

“We are mainly in the second stage at this point in time,” Professor Whitty said today, explaining there would be a gradual shift between phases.

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