Family’s joy as grandad, 71, recovers

If Britain follows the same trajectory as China, 5,700 people, not 20,000, are expected to die.

Researchers also believe the peak of the outbreak could be as soon as a week tomorrow.

Prof Tom Pike, of Imperial College London, said: “Social distancing is working against Covid-19 as an effective parachute across multiple countries.

“That’s no reason for us to cut away our parachutes when we’re still way above the ground.” The lower figure would

PROF TOM PIKE OF IMPERIAL COLLEGE

VULNERABLE Keith Moore the UK losing fewer people to coronavirus than seasonal flu.

Experts insist their strategy is working, but warned it will take time to see the effects of the social distancing. Deputy Chief Medical Officer Dr Jenny Harries said: “There’s some early indication the public

A GRANDAD who suffers from chronic lung disease has “defied the odds” to make a miraculous recovery from coronavirus.

Keith Moore, 71, is home with his family after being hospitalised last week, testing positive for Covid-19.

The retired fisherman from Mirehouse, Cumbria, has fibrosis and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease and wife Janet, 62, “feared the worse”. She said: are really now heeding advice and we thank them for that.

“It’s really important that we continue to do that. We do not expect to see a significant change in our numbers for two or three weeks and so we really need people to stick with us.”

Yesterday saw the biggest leap in the number of people tested – up 8,911, from 104,866 tested to 113,777 tested.

Prof Pike estimates at its peak, the UK will experience more than 250 deaths a day, signifimean

Social distancing is effective parachute against Covid-19

“It is a shock that Keith got through it all to be honest. All of the odds were against him.

“I’m so delighted and relieved that he is back home.

“It’s scary because you see people on the news that are young and healthy dying of coronavirus.

“You just haven’t got a lot of hope when he’s not really a fit 70-odd-year-old. He was frightened.” Keith tested positive for coronavirus on March 17, just weeks after being released from hospital, where he was treated for pre-existing health conditions.

Keith’s family, including 14-year-old granddaughter Ellie who lives with him, could not visit because they were in isolation.

After “endless” support from NHS staff at West Cumberland Hospital, the dad-of-four was released on Tuesday.