Coronavirus LIVE: Fifth person in the UK dies after testing positive for the virus

9 March 2020, 07:58

A fifth person in the UK has died after contracting coronavirus, health officials have confirmed.

The victim, in their 70s, died at St Helier Hospital on Monday., They had "a number of significant and long-term health conditions."

Daniel Elkeles, chief executive for Epsom and St Helier University Hospitals NHS Trust, said: "We can confirm that sadly, a patient in their seventies who was very unwell with a number of significant and long-term health conditions has passed away at St Helier Hospital. They had tested positive for Covid-19.

"Our thoughts and condolences remain with the patient's family and loved ones at this difficult time."

Meanwhile on Monday, the prime minister's spokesman said the UK would remain in the "contain" stage of its response to try and curb the spread of the coronavirus.

He added that while containment efforts continue, it had been accepted by the government that COVID-19 will spread "in a significant way".

The comments came as Boris Johnson chaired an emergency meeting of senior ministers to discuss the ongoing response to the illness.

More than 300 cases have been confirmed in the UK, and three people have since lost their lives.

In Italy, the second worst affected country behind China, 16 million people are still on lockdown.

Follow all the developments in our LIVE coverage below

Happening Now