THE Metropolitan Police arrested two boys today on suspicion of racially abusing and assaulting a Singaporean man due to the coronavirus outbreak.

The suspects, aged 15 and 16, allegedly took part in the incident in central London on February 24.

Jonathan Mok was attacked by a group of men and a woman as he walked along Oxford Street towards Tottenham Court Road.

The group passed the 23-year-old and one made a comment about coronavirus, Mr Mok said.

He described how, as he turned to face the group, one of the men said: “Don’t you dare look at me,” before launching a punch.

He said that a few passers-by stopped and one tried to reason with the assailants.

Mr Mok said: “[One] guy who tried to kick me said ‘I don’t want your coronavirus in my country,’ before swinging another sucker punch at me, which resulted in my face exploding with blood.”

The two men have since been released under investigation and the police are still looking for two others in connection with the incident.

As of 9am today, 163 people in Britain tested positive for the virus in the country’s largest day-on-day increase.

On Thursday, a woman in her 70s became the first person in Britain to die after contracting the virus, while the death of a second elderly patient is also being investigated for coronavirus.

Prime Minister Boris Johnson visited a laboratory in Bedfordshire today before pledging to invest an extra £46 million for research into a vaccine and rapid diagnostic tests.

But the government’s chief scientific adviser, Sir Patrick Vallance, said that he did not think a working vaccine would be produced in time for an outbreak.

And homelessness charities urged the government to provide guidance on protecting “particularly vulnerable” rough sleepers from the coronavirus.

Both Crisis and Shelter said that they had contacted the government for advice on controlling the risk of the virus, but had not so far received any.

The GMB union welcomed news today that courier giant Hermes has announced a £1 million fund to support self-employed workers if they need to self-isolate as a result of the coronavirus crisis.

GMB praised the company for saying it would help find someone to deliver on behalf of anyone affected, and would guarantee that their rounds would be kept open for them for when they return.