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Evening Standard
Evening Standard
National
Rebecca Speare-Cole, Imogen Braddick

UK coronavirus LIVE: England's top doctor Chris Whitty says social distancing will be needed for 'a long period of time' as the UK death toll rises by 114

England's top doctor has warned that social distancing will be needed for "a long period of time" as the UK coronavirus death toll rises by 144.

Chief Medical Officer Professor Chris Whitty told the Lords Science and Technology Committee on Friday that Covid-19 “has not gone away" and provisions like washing hands, isolation, household isolation "need to continue for a long period of time”.

It comes after Boris Johnson has announced a raft of new Draconian measures to help local authorities tackle coronavirus outbreaks as part of his latest "road map". The PM also said that, from August 1, the Government will change its advice on working from home, to allow employers discretion over whether to ask staff to go back to work.

Meanwhile, a further 114 people have died in the UK after contracting coronavirus, according to the latest figures released by the Government. This brings the total to 45,233 as of 5pm on Thursday but separate data published by the UK’s statistics agencies showed there have now been 55,700 deaths registered.

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