Daily Star

SCRUB YER KNOBS & KNOCKERS

Keep ’em clean to save our posties Bojo gets virus and Carrie isolates Traffic wardens ticket NHS heroes

- ■ by KATE NELSON

BRITS have been told to wipe clean their letterboxe­s and doorbells to protect our brave posties.

They are delivering a mountain of stuff we have ordered to ease the coronaviru­s lockdown boredom.

BORIS Johnson has vowed he will still “lead the government” despite being struck down by coronaviru­s.

The Prime Minister is self-isolating from his pregnant fiancée Carrie Symonds over fears he could pose a risk to her and their unborn child.

Mr Johnson and Health Secretary Matt Hancock yesterday revealed they were battling the killer bug.

And chief medical officer Prof Chris Whitty is also showing symptoms of Covid-19.

Fears are growing that those leading the UK’S fight against the virus could be out of action for weeks, just as the UK approaches its peak.

The nation’s death toll leapt by 181 to 759 yesterday, the biggest 24-hour increase so far.

Boris said: “I am now self-isolating, but I will continue to lead the government’s response via video conference as we fight this virus.”

Fiancée Carrie, 32, is thought to be holed up at the couple’s south London home after taking an Instagram pic with their dog Dilyn.

She wrote: “Self-isolating isn’t so bad with this one.”

Foreign Secretary Dominic Raab is lined up to take over if the Prime Minister becomes too sick.

Cabinet Office minister Michael Gove took yesterday’s daily briefing at Downing Street.

He confirmed the rate of infection is surging rapidly – doubling every three to four days. Mr Gove said: “The virus does not discrimina­te. We are all at risk.”

Mr Johnson has held dozens of face-to-face meetings with senior ministers in recent weeks and also stood near Chancellor Rishi Sunak during Britain’s national applause for the NHS on Thursday night.

Just three weeks ago the PM was mocked for boasting about shaking hands with “everybody” during a visit to a hospital with virus patients.

NHS chief executive Sir Simon Stevens said staff will start being tested from next week.

Intensive care nurses, ambulance workers and GPS will all be eligible.

He also confirmed two new emergency hospitals will be built in Manchester and Birmingham to cope with rocketing demand.

Italy’s death toll rose by a horrifying 919 yesterday – the country’s biggest loss of life in 24 hours. More than 9,100 people have died in five weeks.

 ??  ??
 ??  ??
 ??  ?? STAYING SAFE: Carrie is self-isolating with Dilyn
STAYING SAFE: Carrie is self-isolating with Dilyn
 ??  ?? PLEDGE: Boris in video message
PLEDGE: Boris in video message
 ??  ??
 ??  ?? TOUGH TIME: Hancock and medical chief Whitty
TOUGH TIME: Hancock and medical chief Whitty
 ??  ??

Newspapers in English

Newspapers from United Kingdom