Boris Johnson reveals 181 NHS workers and 131 social care workers have ‘sadly’ died from coronavirus

BORIS Johnson has revealed 181 NHS workers and 131 social care workers have died from coronavirus.

The PM said the deaths were a tragic loss.

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Boris Johnson revealed more than 300 NHS and social care staff had died

The tragic faces of the brave NHS heroes who have lost their livesCredit: PA Media

Mr Johnson said in PMQs today: "181 NHS and 131 social care workers deaths have sadly been reported involving COVID-19 I know the thoughts of the whole house are with their families and friends."

There have now been more than 35,000 deaths from coronavirus across the nation and 250,000 confirmed cases.

The PM came under fire from Labour leader Sir Keir for the Immigrant Health Surcharge which charges migrants to use the NHS.

Mr Johnson said he had put a lot of thought into the matter but still thought the charge was "right".

The charge means migrant workers, including care workers who have risked their lives caring for vulnerable people, have to pay £624 a year from October to use the health service - an increase from the current £400 cost.

Mr Johnson said the Scientific Advisory Group for Emergencies (SAGE) was looking at evidence that people from BAME (black, asian and minority ethnic) background were being disproportionately affected by the virus.

He said: "We are looking at all the co-morbidities associated with coronavirus, all the reasons people may disproportionately affected and a rapid review is now being conducted.

"We will be taking steps to ensure (particularly vulnerable groups) are protected."

Many of the NHS and social care staff who have died were from BAME backgrounds.

The Government has been plagued with accusations of not protecting NHS and social care staff with adequate PPE since the beginning of the coronavirus outbreak.

Other key workers including transport workers have died from COVID-19.

Last week, a worker at Victoria station died of coronavirus after a commuter claiming to have the deadly virus spat at her.