UK continues virus fight as prime minister falls ill

The United Kingdom vowed on Friday to continue its fight against the novel coronavirus, as the nation's prime minister announced he too has the disease.

Michael Gove, the government's minister for the Cabinet Office, hosted the country's daily news briefing hours after leader Boris Johnson said he had fallen ill and was self-isolating in his official residence; 10 Downing Street. Johnson usually hosts the daily briefings about the virus and the COVID-19 respiratory disease it causes.

Gove said the UK is seeing its number of infections double every three to four days.

"These figures are a powerful reminder of the need for all of us to act," he said. "Strict social distancing measures have been put in place to restrict the spread of COVID-19."

He said the government has also formed a partnership of businesses, research institutes, and universities that is working to increase the capacity to test front-line workers, so those who have the virus can be quickly removed from their workplace while those who are needlessly self-isolating who do not have it will be able to continue working.

Simon Stephens, the head of the National Health Service (NHS) in England, said at the briefing there are currently 6,200 patients with the virus in hospital in the UK and that the NHS is creating an extra 33,000 beds for virus patients.

Earlier, Johnson revealed he had developed a cough and a temperature during the preceding 24 hours.

"On the advice of the chief medical officer, I have taken a test," he said in a video message released on Twitter. "That has come out positive, so I am working from home."

Johnson said he would continue to lead the nation's government and coordinate its response to the virus.

The chief medical officer to whom he referred, Chris Whitty, also has symptoms and is self-isolating at home.

Johnson's announcement followed the government saying the UK will contribute 210 million pounds ($257 million) toward work being undertaken by an international coalition of scientists seeking to develop a vaccine.

The investment came as the UK announced the number of deaths in the UK attributable to the virus rose on Friday by 181, to 759. It was the first time more than 100 people had died of the virus in a single day.

The bad news followed an uplifting and defiant display on Thursday evening in which people took to their balconies, open windows, rooftops and front porches to applaud and cheer NHS workers.

The nation's figurehead, Queen Elizabeth II, joined those praising NHS workers by issuing a statement on Instagram in which she said she was "enormously thankful" for the work they were doing, and the work of scientists, public servants, and the emergency services.

Prince Charles's staff also described his gratitude, after well-wishers sent him cards and messages of support following his declaration earlier this week that he too has been infected. The message said he had been "enormously touched" by the support.

Also on Friday, the government urged prospective house-buyers not to consider moving home during the lockdown.

The Independent newspaper quoted Housing Secretary Robert Jenrick as saying it was "especially important to try and delay" such moves, even if the parties are in legally-binding contracts.

The Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government added: "Homebuyers and renters should, where possible, delay moving to a new house while measures are in place to fight coronavirus."

Several mortgage lenders decided to support the call by postponing the processing of mortgage applications.

Elsewhere in Europe, Italy confirmed 969 more virus deaths on Friday, taking its total to 9,134.

And Spain also had a particularly bad 24 hours, with 769 new deaths announced on Friday.

With Italy and Spain so hard hit by the virus, European Union leaders met via video-link on Thursday to discuss ways the bloc might mitigate anticipated economic damage. But they failed to find a consensus. The idea of directing funds toward the nations had been opposed in the past by the Netherlands, Germany, and Austria.

Portugal's prime minister, Antonio Costa, told reporters: "If we don't come together now, I don't know when we will."

But, despite the lack of progress on Thursday, Eurozone finance ministers have been tasked with suggesting new ways in which the bloc's richest nations might help those hardest hit by the virus. Those suggestions are due to be submitted in the next two weeks.