BORIS Johnson has told Brits that staying home is “more vital than ever” as the daily coronavirus death toll hit a record high of 1,325.
The PM’s rallying cry comes after the UK suffered its darkest day yet in the pandemic yesterday – with a record 68,053 infections.
The number of daily fatalities has more than doubled in a week, surpassing the previous peak of 1,224 deaths recorded on April 21.
Mr Johnson urged Brits to strictly obey the Stay At Home message amid fears that swathes of the public were continuing to flout the rules.
He said: “The vaccine has given us renewed hope but we must not be complacent.
“The NHS is under severe strain and we must take action to protect it, both so our doctors and nurses can continue to save lives and so they can vaccinate as many people as possible as quickly as we can.
“I know the last year has taken its toll — but your compliance is now more vital than ever.
“So once again, I must urge everyone to stay at home, protect the NHS and save lives.”
‘ACT LIKE YOU’VE GOT IT’
Meanwhile, a new TV advert fronted by Professor Chris Whitty urging everyone in England to stay at home is set to hit the nation’s screens from today.
Speaking in the advert, the Chief Medical Officer says: “Covid-19, especially the new variant, is spreading quickly across the country.
“This puts many people at risk of serious disease and is placing a lot of pressure on our NHS.
“Once more, we must all stay home. If it’s essential to go out, remember: wash your hands, cover your face indoors and keep your distance from others.
“Vaccines give clear hope for the future, but for now we must all stay home, protect the NHS and save lives.”
The campaign also urges people to “act like you’ve got it” adding that “anyone can spread it”.
It comes as London yesterday declared a major incident with hospitals at breaking point.
London Mayor Sadiq Khan said on average, one in 30 Londoners have the disease – although in some areas of the capital it’s one in 20.
He said the NHS is “on the cusp of being overwhelmed” with more than 7,000 Covid patients in London hospitals — almost 2,000 more than the first peak last April.
The numbers of people on ventilators has almost doubled since Christmas day – with 47 per cent more patients in intensive care, the Mayor said.
And he warned hospitals will run out of beds in “in the next couple of weeks” unless the spread is slowed down “drastically”.
The R-rate has now hit 1.4 across the UK with the variant up to 74 per cent more transmissible.
Experts warn the R number must be below one for the pandemic to shrink.
But in a positive step, Britain yesterday approved a third Covid vaccine in a boost to efforts to beat the pandemic.
UK regulators have now recommended the use of the Moderna jab – which is 94 per cent effective in preventing coronavirus.
