LOC05:03
02:03 GMT
LONDON, March 23 (KUNA) -- Britain's Home Secretary Priti Patel said the UK was facing its biggest challenge since the second World War due to the spread of coronavirus, or COVID-19.
"Our nation is before a difficult choice," Patel said in a statement to the press after a meeting with members of the emergency teams of home affairs, fire department and national health service on Sunday night.
She said the government would provide all necessary resources and needs to overcome this crisis.
Patel said the emergency teams were the frontline of the nation in the fight against coronavirus, commending the teams' giant role in serving the society and people.
Secretary of Health Matthew Hancock said he agreed with private hospitals to use 20,000 of their staff to help government hospitals in dealing with coronavirus patients.
Hancock said private hospitals agreed to provide around 8,000 beds.
The Health Department said 281 people died of the virus while number of infectees reach 5,683. (end)
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