THE public is being shown a set of hard-hitting new adverts, which were filmed in a Hampshire hospital, warning people to stay home as part of a change of tack in the bid to ensure people obey lockdown rules.

With close-ups of frontline medical practitioners and Covid-19 patients’ faces, the advert asks: “Can you look them in the eyes and tell them you’re helping by staying at home?”

It comes after the Government on Wednesday reported a further 1,820 people in the UK dying within 28 days of testing positive for Covid-19, a daily record number.

A further 1,401 deaths were reported on Friday using the same criteria, taking the total number of fatalities to 95,981 since the epidemic started in the UK.

Separate figures published by the UK’s statistics agencies for deaths where Covid-19 has been mentioned on the death certificate, together with additional data on deaths that have occurred in recent days, show there have now been 112,000 deaths involving Covid-19 in the UK.

The television advert aired on ITV and Channel 4 on Friday evening and further advertising will run across radio, online and across social media from Saturday evening, the Government said.

A shift in tone from previous adverts sees footage and remarks broadcast from patients who have coronavirus, as well as the NHS staff who are looking after them at Basingstoke and North Hampshire Hospital.

The Government said someone is currently admitted to hospital every 30 seconds with the virus, and a quarter of those are under the age of 55.

There are currently over 38,000 beds taken up in England by Covid patients.

Daily Echo: The adverts include patients who were receiving treatment in hospital. Picture: Government handoutThe adverts include patients who were receiving treatment in hospital. Picture: Government handout

Health Secretary Matt Hancock said: “The NHS is under intense pressure.

“They are relying on all of us to follow the rules.

“I know how long the last few months have felt, and I know the vast majority of people are following the rules, but we have come too far to let up now.

“Every day we are closer to beating this virus, and already over five million people across the UK have been vaccinated.

“But right now more than ever we need to stick together to protect our NHS and to keep saving lives.

“The message couldn’t be clearer – stay at home.”

Daily Echo: The advert also includes NHS staff at the hospital. Picture: Government handoutThe advert also includes NHS staff at the hospital. Picture: Government handout

England’s chief medical officer Professor Chris Whitty said: “The impact of the current wave is still putting significant pressure on hospitals across the country and many patients are very sick.

“Vaccines give clear hope for the future, but for now we must all continue to play our part in protecting the NHS and saving lives.”

The latest NHS figures reported that 1,345 people have died with coronavirus in Hampshire hospitals since the start of the pandemic last March.

Friday's daily update on the number of positive cases showed there had been 1,184 more positive tests across Hampshire.