UK Government Appeals to 65,000 Retired Healthcare Workers to Return to Work

The UK government has reached out to 65,000 retired healthcare workers, requesting their return to help combat the coronavirus pandemic, reports BBC.

Health Secretary Matt Hancock expressed hope that “thousands of people” among the 50,000 former nurses and 15,000 retired doctors will respond to their appeal.

Additionally, volunteers will also be engaged in the treatment process of COVID-19 patients, undergoing special training courses over the next few weeks. Finally, final-year medical students will also assist in the fight against the outbreak.

Worldwide, in 177 countries, the number of COVID-19 infections has reached 234,073, with 104,000 of those in Europe. The World Health Organization reports that 9,840 people have died from the virus, with 81,300 cases in China alone. In the past day, 24,000 people worldwide have been infected, and over 1,000 have died.