THE number of coronavirus cases in Sussex continues to rise as the Government bring in ever-more stringent measures to curb the spread of the illness.

Yesterday Prime Minister Boris Johnson announced a UK lockdown in which people were told to stay at home, only leaving the house for essentials such as food and medication.

This follows the number of coronavirus cases continuing to grow across the UK.

In East Sussex the figure now sits at 11, up from yesterday's figure of nine.

Meanwhile the number of West Sussex cases has increased from 27 to 28.

But Brighton and Hove's total of 17 remains the same as yesterday.

These increases bring the number of people to have tested positive for coronavirus in Sussex to 56.

On Sunday, it was also confirmed that a second person in Sussex had died after contracting the disease.

East Sussex Healthcare NHS Trust confirmed the patient had passed away at Eastbourne District General Hospital.

The Trust said: "We can confirm that a patient at Eastbourne District General Hospital, who had tested positive for Covid-19, has sadly died.

"Our thoughts are with the patient’s family and loved ones at this very difficult time."

The continued increase in Sussex follows the national trend, with the number of people to have tested positive for coronavirus in the UK reaching 6,650 yesterday - a rise of almost 1,000 in just 24 hours.

In Britain, 335 patients who tested positive for coronavirus have died and 135 are said to have recovered.

  • The coronavirus Sussex Crisis Fund has been set up to help those affected by the pandemic. The Argus’s charity and American Express have each donated £50,000 to kick-start the appeal.  Grants will usually be for up to £5,000. More information is available at www.sussexgiving. org.uk/apply. To donate visit www.totalgiving.co.uk/appeal/sussexcrisisfund