The British government has called for a national effort similar to the one which helped the country survive during the Second World War as it prepares to curb the spread of coronavirus.

Health Minister Matt Hancock said measures the government planned included isolating people aged over 70 for up to four months.

He said the announcement would come "certainly in the coming weeks, absolutely."

The government is also asking manufacturers to retool their production lines to start producing more ventilators and instructing private hospitals to get ready to take coronavirus patients who cannot be treated in overstretched public hospitals.

The novel coronavirus death toll reached 21 as of Saturday in Britain as the number of confirmed cases totaled 1,140, according to the figures released by the British Department of Health and Social Care.

Local media reported Sunday that Queen Elizabeth II has moved from Buckingham Palace to Windsor Castle due to the concern of the coronavirus. 

Earlier, the British government announced Thursday that the country has switched from the "containment" phase to "delay" in response to the spread of virus, a move to encourage more "social distancing" among the British people.

In addition, the United States said Saturday that it was stepping up its fight against the coronavirus and extending a European travel ban to include the UK.

(With input from agencies)