Coronavirus: 4000 nurses and 500 doctors come out of retirement to fight virus

More than 4000 nurses and 500 doctors have come out retirement in the UK to help fight the coronavirus, in a show of national solidarity.

UK health secretary Matt Hancock has revealed 4500 retired healthcare workers have returned to work to help battle the coronavirus crisis.

Mr Hancock tweeted how he was “delighted” with the response but urged “many more” to sign up.

It comes as the number of deaths from coronavirus in the UK rose to 233.

Britain's Health Secretary Matt Hancock speaks to the media outside Number 10 Downing St. Picture: Tolga Akmen/AFP

The most recent 53 deaths in England were people aged 41 to 94 who had underlying health conditions.

“Delighted that 4000 nurses and 500 doctors have signed up to return to the NHS in the first 48 hours of our call,” Mr Hancock tweeted, making reference to the National Health Service, the UK’s system of universal health care.

“Brilliant support in our national effort tackling #coronavirus.”

In a video accompanying the post, he added: “But we need many more. It’s easy to do, and we will make sure that your service is put to best effect.

“The whole country needs the NHS right now and if you’re a retired doctor or a retired nurse then your NHS needs you.”

RELATED: Follow the latest on coronavirus on our live blog

RELATED: MyGov site crashes as Aussies seek support

Britain's Health Secretary Matt Hancock leaves Number 10 Downing St. Picture: Tolga Akmen/AFP

Lewes MP Maria Caulfield will return to work as a nurse during the parliamentary recess for night shifts and at weekends.

“I am very happy to use that time to help those who are ill,” she said.

Tooting MP Rosena Allin-Khan, a hospital doctor, said she would be return to her hospital’s accident and emergency department this weekend.

Kieran Mullan, an emergency medicine doctor who was newly elected in Crewe and Nantwich in December, and James Davies, a GP who now represents Vale, also plan to return to clinical work.

This article originally appeared in The Sun and is republished with permission