"You have our word we will look after your loved ones – please look after us and stay home."

THAT'S the message from staff at Basildon and Thurrock Hospital who have shared an emotional video with Thurrock Nub News, hoping our readers will heed their words in this time on coronavirus crisis and lockdown.

The video was put together by hospital staff members Emma Brown, Megan Stokes and Luke Nye – and for Emma it was a particularly poignant message as she had the awful experience of nursing a loved one in the hospital, being able to offer words of comfort at the most trying of times – you can see her tribute to her "Aunty Marg" here.

The message to our readers comes on the day the UK become the fifth country to pass 20,000 deaths in hospital from Covid-19. No-one is pretending that there won't be more deaths and more heartache, but the staff want you to know they are doing their very best to help all those in their care.

And it comes at a time when there is a growing call for the UK to move towards an end to lockdown – or at least a relaxation of the rules.

The issue is being debated at the very top.

At today's (Saturday, 25 April) UK government official briefing and with data showing journeys by motor vehicles are starting to rise again, Home Secretary Priti Patel was asked if the government has undermined its strategy with mixed messages by allowing non-essential work to continue.

She says the government has been "clear and consistent from day one". She says she understands people's frustrations but "enforcement measures are being applied" and "they are working".

Asked if allowing DIY shops to open is not a mixed message, she says shops are open but they are maintaining social distancing rules "incredibly well".

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So the message remains clear. Whether it's a government minister or the frontline staff at Basildon Hospital and their families who are praying their loved ones remain safe as they put themselves in harm's way: Staying at home wherever possible is the best thing to do.

The total of UK confirmed cases of Covid-19 is now 148,377 - a daily rise of 4,913. UK hospital deaths stand at 20,219 - more than 200 of them at Basildon.

In Thurrock, the number of confirmed cases of coronavirus is reported to be 256.