The United Kingdom is facing the scourge of the novel coronavirus COVID-19, as are 182 other countries and regions.    Across the United Kingdom, as of Sunday, according to the UK’s Health Secretary Matt Hancock,  47,806 have tested positive, and nearly 5,000 have died.

Prime Minister Boris Johnson is one of those testing positive.   Johnson was admitted to a hospital for tests on Sunday.   The entire UK is under a social isolation and social distancing policy.  Health Secretary Hancock said those policies will not change anytime soon and are needed to slow the spread and to help keep the UK’s National Health Service from being overwhelmed.  He said the vast majority of people who are following the rules, and urged everybody to do so.

Queen Elizabeth II made a rare televised address to the country on Sunday, a message of reassurance and gratitude and a hopeful look towards the future.