U.K. cases rise by 30% to 273 in one day

• The number of confirmed cases of coronavirus in the United Kingdom has risen by 64 to 273, the Department of Health and Social Care said Sunday, a leap of 30 per cent and the biggest one-day increase so far.

More than 23,500 people in Britain have been tested for the virus. So far, two patients have died. The biggest concentration of cases is in London, which has had 51.

Finance minister Rishi Sunak said the government would invest whatever was needed to deal with the spread of the virus, including more money for the health service and help for companies suffering shortterm cash flow problems.

After reports of stockpiling, the government said on Friday that supermarkets had contingency plans in place to prevent shortages.

Britain’s biggest supermarket, Tesco, said customers will be limited to buying five units of items such as antibacterial gels and wipes, dried pasta and long-life milk.

The government said the environment minister would hold a call with the chief executives of Britain’s main supermarkets and industry representatives on Monday to discuss support for vulnerable groups in isolation.

The government also set out details of planned emergency legislation, including possibly holding more court proceedings via video link, and steps to protect the jobs of those who volunteer for the health service.

Prime Minister Boris Johnson is chairing a meeting of the government’s emergency committee on Monday.

Meanwhile, New York City could have 100 or more coronavirus cases within two to three weeks, up from 13 now, Mayor Bill de Blasio said Sunday.

Trump administration officials appeared on the Sunday talk shows to brace Americans for more changes to their daily routines, a far cry from earlier statements that the virus in the U.S. was contained.