'The way ahead is hard, many lives will be lost', says UK PM Boris Johnson

UK Prime Minister Boris Johnson said on Monday everyone in country must "join toger" and opt new restrictive government measures to "help save thousands of lives" as UK battles new coronavirus pandemic.

UK has joined or countries in ordering residents to restrict ir movements, imposing its most draconian restrictions ever in peacetime.

In an dress to nation from 10 Downing Street, Johnson anunced ramped up restrictions on people being allowed to leave ir homes.

Johnson ordered closing of n-essential shops and told people y could only leave ir homes for very limited purposes.

He said measures would halt spre of disease and relieve pressure on National Health Service.

He said: "Each and every one of us is w obliged to join toger to halt spre of this disease, to protect our NHS and to save many, many thousands of lives."

U.K. h 10th-highest number of virus cases in world, 5,903, and sixth-highest number of virus-related deaths as of Monday, according to tallies from Johns Hopkins University.

For most people, new coronavirus causes only mild or moderate symptoms, such as fever or coughing.

But for some older ults and people with existing health problems, it can cause more severe illness, including pneumonia.

For most people, new coronavirus causes only mild or moderate symptoms, such as fever and cough.

For some, especially older ults and people with existing health problems, it can cause more severe illness including pneumonia, but vast majority of people recover from virus.

pandemic has infected more than 374,000 people and killed over 16,000. More than 100,000 people have recovered so far, mostly in China.