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- The Prime Minister has announced a lockdown in the UK.
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- In his televised speech at 8.30pm, Boris Johnson told the nation to stay at home unless they are shopping, exercising, helping a vulnerable person or travelling to or from work (but only if that travel is necessary).
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- He revealed that police can now take action on those who disobey. This includes handing out fines and dispersing gatherings.
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- Gatherings will not be allowed and social events - including weddings and baptisms - should stop, Mr Johnson said. Funerals however have not been banned.
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- As of today (March 23), there are 335 deaths linked to Covid-19 and 6,650 who have tested positive so far.
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- In Essex, there have been 67 positive cases. In Waltham Forest, 56, and in Redbridge, 51.
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- This afternoon, it was confirmed that a patient in their 80s died at The Princess Alexandra Hospital in Harlow after testing positive for the virus.
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- For updates on the coronavirus pandemic in Essex and east London, follow our live updates below:
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