A surgeon on the front lines dies as Britain is warned of a ‘significant’ lockdown.

Central London on Thursday.Credit...Andrew Testa for The New York Times

Britain should be prepared for a significant period in lockdown as the government tries to tackle the coronavirus outbreak, a senior cabinet minister said on Sunday.

“Everyone, I think, does have to prepare for a significant period when these measures are still in place,” the minister, Michael Gove, told the BBC.

His remarks came as the country’s National Health Service mourned the loss of a surgeon who died after contracting the coronavirus. The surgeon, Adil El Tayar, 63, a native of Sudan, was an organ transplant specialist who had been serving as a volunteer in a British hospital to help fight the pandemic.

Britain’s ambassador to Sudan, Irfan Siddiq, paid tribute to the surgeon on Twitter, adding: “Health workers around the world have shown extraordinary courage. We cannot thank them enough.”

Thousands of retired doctors and nurses in Britain have agreed to go back to work to reinforce the ranks of the health service as the country struggles with a growing outbreak. The more than 400,000 people who have stepped forward also include volunteers who are helping older people quarantined in their homes.


Britain had over 17,000 confirmed coronavirus cases as of Sunday — including Prime Minister Boris Johnson, who was initially reluctant to introduce social distancing measures in the country; Matt Hancock, the health secretary; and Prince Charles, the heir to the British throne.

Reference: NY Times