NOW is the time to really lockdown and help to save lives, says director of NHS England Professor Stephen Powis.

On the day where the total of coronavirus deaths in the UK has reached 1, 019, Prof Powis said the maths was simple: ’We can get on top of this virus by avoiding contact with others and reducing the transmission rate’.

The NHS director was speaking as part of the Government’s daily coronvirus briefing earlier this afternoon.

He added that the actions which could save lives were ’ not someone else’s responsibility, but all of our responsibilities’.

’Stay at home, and if you are symptomatic, isolate.’ is the clear message.

In Cornwall, the number of confirmed Covid-19 cases now stands at 56 and seven people have died in the county.

Business Secretary Alok Sharma, who was leading today’s briefing, said that the Government was working to bring more hand sanitizer into the shops within days.

He promised a change to the laws around insolvency which would make it easier for firms to get through the crisis period.