Confirmed COVID-19 cases in UK jumps to 798
Xinhua
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LONDON, March 13 (Xinhua) -- The confirmed cases of COVID-19 in Britain has reached 798 Friday, an increase of 208 over 24 hours, according to the Department of Health and Social Care.

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Great Ormond Street children's hospital is pictured in London on March 10, 2020. (Photo: AFP)

It is by far the biggest rise in cases of COVID-19 in one day, according to official figures. 

The British government announced on Thursday that the country has switched from the "containment" phase to "delay" in response to the COVID-19 outbreak, which will see more "social distancing" measures.

The COVID-19 outbreak is "the worst public health crisis for a generation," British Prime Minister Boris Johnson said Thursday after an emergency COBRA committee meeting on Thursday.