Health officials have confirmed the number of confirmed cases of coronavirus in Bristol has risen to eight.
Public Health England has released its latest breakdown of where the deadly disease has taken hold today (March 17).
It reveals figures in our city has risen from seven to eight, South Gloucestershire has six (one up) and North Somerset stands at three from two on Monday.
This afternoon Prime Minister Boris Johnson declared 'wartime action' was needed to tackle the growing pandemic.
New measures include a mortgage holiday for homeowners struggling to pay their bills because of COVID-19, £330 billion set aside for businesses and funding for airlines.
Tragically, the UK's death toll has risen to 71, with a further 14 - including a 45-year-old confirmed today.
Earlier the government announced 1,950 cases.
However, officials believe the number to in fact be far higher - as many as 55,000.
Boris Johnson warned more “extreme measures” may be needed to protect lives in the future.
You can get updates about the latest coronavirus news for Bristol, North Somerset and South Glos with our Facebook group: https://www.facebook.com/groups/1150108968667927
“We must act like any wartime government and do whatever it takes to support the economy.”
“Yes this enemy can be deadly but it is also beatable”
Dozens of schools have now closed across Bristol, South Gloucestershire and North Somerset.
You can also follow the latest coronavirus updates from Bristol and the UK here.
