RESIDENTS across Essex have been told they will be risking the lives of thousands of people if they defy government advice by not staying at home during the Covid-19 crisis.

Coronavirus has so far infected more than 8,000 people in the UK with 88 in Essex.

Prime Minister Boris Johnson this week stressed the importance of staying at home to slow down the spread of the virus.

Essex County Council echoed that advice in an email sent to 70,000 people living in the county.

Leader David Finch said the death rate would only increase if people failed to take action.

“We are facing the biggest challenge of our times,” he said.

“Coronavirus is a killer. If we do nothing, 500,000 people across our great country will die.

“But that horrendous outcome will not happen, provided we act.

“The Government has issued good advice. But not all of us are following it – this is not good enough.

“We must heed the advice from Government to stay home as there is no doubt this will save lives.

“Across Essex this weekend, we have seen people behaving in a way which was very much like going about their usual business and this is not acceptable.”

As part of the effort to stop the outbreak, schools across Essex and the country have now closed to most pupils.

The children of key workers and those with special educational needs or disabilities are still allowed to attend.

But some teachers have reported instances where parents are continuing to send their child to school, despite the fact they could stay at home.

Mr Finch stressed that children not within the specified categories should only be going to school as a last resort.

He also expressed concerns over the strain being put on the NHS as a result of the rapid outbreak of the virus.

But he said the county’s resilience and determination would see it come out the other side of the pandemic, as long as everyone plays their part by following the issued guidance.

“If the epidemic peaks, as it has in Italy, which has a world-class health system, the NHS will be overwhelmed,” he said.

“We must not allow the peak of the epidemic to outstrip the NHS’s capacity to care.

“Every single one of us can ensure that this nightmare scenario does not happen.

“In China, and South Korea, the spread of the virus has been kept in check because governments have acted quickly enough, and people have followed advice.

“We must follow suit. Our great county of Essex has always risen to the challenges over the decades.

“This is the greatest one of our times.”