Stand-in PM Dominic Raab tells Atherstone and the nation at large 'we're not done yet' with lockdown measures to beat coronavirus

DON'T FORGET TO GET READY TO #CLAPFORCARERS AT 8pm WITH A SPECIAL CHEER FOR THE GEORGE ELIOT AND OUR NASON WARD NATIONAL HEROES

ATHERSTONE listened along with the rest of the UK tonight to stand-in PM Dominic Raab as he called on the country not to give coronavirus a second chance to kill more people as "we're not done yet" with making lockdown sacrifices to beat it.

The Foreign Secretary, deputising for Boris Johnson on his fourth in intensive care after falling to shake off Covid-19, admitted things "will not change" for a few weeks yet – but staying at home this Easter was key to putting some distance between us and the deadly virus's impact.

Social forums across Atherstone have already played their part with followers voicing their anger and frustration at those contemplating breaking ranks on social distance restrictions,.

And the latest UK death toll figures – up 881 on top pf the previous day's record of 938 – was surely enough to convince the public that there will be no Easter egg hunts "with the grandchildren" this year, said Mr Raab.

The First Secretary of State, 46, read out the grim tally of 65,077 people recorded cases of people testing positive for Covid-19 and 7,978 deaths – more than 3,6000 in the last five days.

He spared us nothing when warning that those death totals will carry on "going up" for least two weeks more, and the tough measures people have to live with have helped ensure the scale of the tragedy has not been worse.

At today's press briefing, Mr Raab thanked us for the sacrificies already made but it is "too early" to talk of relaxing restrictions and advisers insist the outbreak's peak could be as far away as April 18. Lifting lockdown will be discussed towards the end of next week, it is thought.

He added: "After all the efforts everybody has made, after all the sacrifices so many people have made let's not ruin it now."

The country's stand-in leader added: "We're not done yet. We must keep going.

"Let us not undo the gains we've made, let's not waste the sacrifices so many people have made.

"We mustn't give the coronavirus a second chance to kill more people and to hurt our country."

Medical experts believe the curve is starting to flatten – thanks in no small part to efforts of the country – but there is still more to go through.

With the Prime Minister "improving" and engaging staff at St Thomas's hospital in central London, a new poll reveals that a majority of Britons are in favour of a government of national unity being formed for the duration of the coronavirus crisis.

In a YouGov survey, nearly two-thirds of 1,609 people indicated that they would be in support of representatives from all of the main political parties being brought into the fold.

A total of 31 per cent said they would be strongly support such a move, whilst only 17 per cent stated that they would be opposed.

So tonight at 8pm we must all head for the doorstep, back step, balcony or back garden to pay tribute to all health staff in #ClapForCarers.

Team Nason getting the George Eliot hospital into the national spotlight with their 'Get Well Soon Boris' picture message cheered us all up this week.

But it doesn't hide the heartache behind the smiles.

Let us remember they are, in some cases, sacrificing everything to treat the infected among us.

Three nurses from a north west London hospital who were forced to wear bin liners due to a lack of protective equipment have all tested positive for coronavirus.

But among that 881 UK death tally for the last 24 hours is a doctor who warned Mr Johnson about the need for "urgent" personal protection equipment in the fight against coronavirus.

Abdul Mabud Chowdhury, 53, died after battling the virus for 15 days in hospital.

He is one of at least 20 known NHS workers to die from the disease while fighting it on the frontline.

And finally, the heroism of our frontline workers will be celebrated – with the tolling of an ancient bell tonight.

The oldest bell at Canterbury Cathedral will sound every evening from now on in remembrance of those who have died from Covid-19.

Seventeenth-century 'Harry' will ring out at 8pm in recognition of the "shared global tragedy" of the coronavirus pandemic.

It is hoped that the familiar sound of the bell at the 1,400-year-old cathedral will be a comfort and source of strength.

But on Thursday it will also toll in recognition of the daily bravery and self-sacrifice of frontline healthcare staff and other essential workers within the UK and internationally.