Boris Johnson warns the NHS could be overwhelmed if people do not act to slow the spread of coronavirus, as he urged the UK not to visit loved ones on Mother’s Day.
In an address to the nation on Saturday evening, Mr Johnson said: “The numbers are very stark, and they are accelerating.
“The Italians have a superb health care system. And yet their doctors and nurses have been completely overwhelmed by the demand.
“The Italian death toll is already in the thousands and climbing. 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 warned that the UK is only two or three weeks behind Italy, adding that he recognised the government was imposing measures “never seen before either in peace or war” – but said they were essential.
“This time, the best thing is to ring her, video call her, Skype her, but to avoid any unnecessary physical contact or proximity,” the PM said.
“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. We cannot disguise or sugar-coat the threat.”
