TODAY marks 100 days since prime minster Boris Johnson put the UK in lockdown in a bid to fight coronavirus.

But what has happened in those 100 days and where is the country in the fight against coronavirus now?

March 23: lockdown begins 

At the time lockdown began, there were 27 confirmed coronavirus cases in Dorset and just one death.

Across the UK, 355 people had died with the illness.

The next day, health secretary Matt Hancock announced the NHS Nightingale Hospital will be built in London. There would go on to be seven Nightingale hospitals built.

Bournemouth Echo:

An empty Bournemouth beach at the start of the lockdown

March 26: First Clap For Carers 

March 26 was the first Clap for Carers, where people would stand on their doorstep at and applaud the work of the NHS. This would happen every Thursday at 8pm until May 28.

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400 fined for flouting lockdown rules during full lockdown

Full lockdown lasted until May 10, but Dorset Police handed out nearly 400 fines to people flouting the rules during that time.

A spokesperson for Dorset Police said: “On the whole the vast majority of the public have complied with the government’s guidance and we would like to thank everyone who has played their part in keeping others safe.

“Where we have had reported breaches our approach throughout has been to focus on engaging with people, explaining the guidance and educating them.

“As a last resort and where we have seen persistent or blatant breaches of the regulations we have resorted to enforcement action.

“We would urge people to continue to be considerate of others as we move forward and to act in a responsible manner.”

First easing of the lockdown 

After May 10, unlimited exercise was allowed and members of the public were encouraged to go back to work.

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Tombstoning at Durdle Door. Picture: BNPS

People were also allowed to drive to other destinations, which led to crowded people and casualties being airlifted to hospitals after tombstoning off Durdle Door.

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Restrictions were ease once again on June 1.

Groups of six from different households could now meet outside, reception, year one and year six school students were allowed back.

The government also aimed to have shops open by June 15.

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Shoppers at the Dolphin Centre on June 15 

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The Dolphin Centre on June 15 when non essential stores reopened

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Bournemouth town centre on June 15

Finally, on June 24, Boris Johnson eased social distancing measures to one metre, confirmed pubs and restaurants would reopen on July 4, announcing that the measures were now guidance rather than legislation.

And now, after 100 days of an unprecedented lockdown, 43,550 people have died with the virus across the UK.

In Dorset, 155 people have died in hospitals, and lockdown has meant hospitals across the UK have not become overrun with cases.

Debbie Fleming, joint chief executive of the Royal Bournemouth and Christchurch Hospitals and Poole Hospital, said: “Looking back over the past few months since the onset of Covid-19, we are feeling really proud of our staff and services.

“At the same time, we are hugely grateful to local people for adhering to the advice about staying at home, and the guidance regarding social distancing. We know that this has been really hard, but it is this that that has made such a difference in reducing the spread of infection.

Bournemouth Echo:

“The action that we took at the start of lockdown – that is, cancelling all non-urgent procedures within our hospitals and restricting public access - gave us the opportunity to focus on our emergency work and treating the most poorly patients.

“I am so proud of the way in which staff have coped over the past few months, continuing to provide safe, high quality care with the utmost dedication and compassion.

“As time has moved on, restrictions have changed and we’re delighted to see patients and visitors beginning to return to our hospitals.

“Throughout this time, caring has remained at the very heart of what we do here in our hospitals. It has been especially important for us to support each other during the pandemic, so we could be there for our patients.

“We’ve also been uplifted by all the support from our communities. The Clap For Carers each Thursday evening was the most welcome morale boost during these challenging times, and all the messages of support, donations to our charity and gifts to our staff were incredibly moving and really appreciated by us all.

Bournemouth Echo:

“Just as we applauded our patients as they left intensive care following treatment for coronavirus, we applaud the whole community for coming together at this time.

“We have been very proud to serve you.”