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Daily Mirror
Daily Mirror
National
Kelly-Ann Mills

Coronavirus: The Queen cancels all visits next week as deadly bug sweeps country

The Queen has cancelled all public engagements for the next week, in light of the coronavirus pandemic.

Her Majesty will not appear at the public events in an effort to stop members of the public congregating, and to lessen her risk of catching the disease.

In a statement Buckingham Palace said: "As a sensible precaution and for practical reasons in the current circumstances, changes are being made to The Queen’s diary commitments in the coming weeks.

"In consultation with the Medical Household and Government, Her Majesty’s forthcoming visits to Cheshire and Camden will be rescheduled.

"Audiences will continue as usual."

Queen Elizabeth II attends the Commonwealth Day Service (Getty Images)
The Queen has cancelled engagements for next week (Getty Images)

Engagements beyond next week will be reviewed closer to the time.

Prince Charles and his wife Camilla have cancelled an upcoming tour of Bosnia, Cyprus and Jordan on British government advice, a spokesman for the royal couple said.

The Queen had been seen last week wearing gloves as she greeted those receiving honours at Buckingham Palace.

She had last been seen in public at the Commonwealth Day service along with other senior royals.

The Queen hands out medals wearing gloves (PA)

It was the last public event for Prince Harry and his wife Meghan Markle, before they leave royal life for Canada.

Prince Charles, Camilla, Prince William and wife Kate were also in attendance.

Charles has played his part in the coronavirus containment effort, congratulating people with a Namaste while performing the Investiture ceremony at Buckingham Palace.

The total number of coronavirus cases has soared today to 798 after a further 208 were diagnosed in the last 24 hours.

Over royals were due to attend events that have now been cancelled because of the coronavirus.

Charles and Camilla have cancelled engagements (Getty Images)

Princess Anne was due to watch a Six Nations finale, while the Earl of Wessex, Prince Edward, was meant to be at a Duke of Edinburgh Gold Award ceremony.

The latest figures come after Boris Johnson said the government was moving from 'contain' to 'delay' in its fight to stop the spread.

As of 9am, a total of 32,771 people had been tested, 798 positively, while ten patients who tested positive in the UK have died.

Wales earlier announced 13 new cases, taking the total number of infections there to 38.

In Scotland, the number of confirmed case has risen to 85 and in Northern Ireland, 29 people have tested positive, an increase of nine today.

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