BBC Breakfast presenters Naga Munchetty and Ben Thompson interrupted Saturday’s show to announce a health update.
Two people have died(Image: Carl Court, Getty Images)
Regular segments on BBC Breakfast were interrupted moments before the programme concluded on Saturday morning, as presenters Ben Thompson and Naga Munchetty delivered an urgent update regarding the meningitis outbreak.
The UK Health Security Agency has confirmed that the number of verified or suspected cases of the infection in Kent has climbed from 29 to 34.
This comprises 23 laboratory-confirmed cases, with a further 11 notifications still under investigation.
Hundreds of individuals have been queueing for the meningitis jab, as a fifth vaccination centre was established in the county.
Since the vaccination programme launched on Wednesday in response to the recent Kent outbreak, which has claimed the lives of two young people, a total of 4,500 individuals have received their jabs, reports the Mirror.
READ MORE: BBC Breakfast hosts remember legendary broadcaster as they pay tributeREAD MORE: Dame Jenni Murray dies aged 75 as tributes pour in for BBC Woman’s Hour presenter
In between two separate segments on BBC Breakfast this morning, the hosts provided the update to viewers.
Naga told viewers: “We’ve just got some news to bring you,” as a ‘Breaking’ banner appeared on screens.
She added: “Of course, the UK health security agency gives an update on the number of meningitis cases, particularly after this outbreak in Kent.
“Just to inform you that the number of cases linked to meningitis, linked to that outbreak, has risen to 34, and that was up from 29 previously.
“We’ll be covering this thoroughly throughout the day on the BBC News channel and online.”
The presenters then moved on with the programme, while earlier in the show they paid tribute to broadcasting legend, Dame Jenni Murray, who died at the age of 75.
The former BBC Radio 4’s Woman’s Hour host held her role for more than three decades, joining the show in 1987 and leaving in 2020 as its longest-serving presenter.
“Our reporter Tim Muffett has been looking at her life,” Naga shared on BBC Breakfast, before a pre-recorded segment began with Dame Jenni’s own voice, wishing radio listeners a good morning.
She was described as “a broadcasting icon, an incisive, fearless interviewer,” with the reporter continuing by paying tribute: “Dame Jenni Murray formed a strong bond with listeners, and was never scared of asking the questions others might avoid.”
The end of the clip heard Dame Jenni sign off from her final Woman’s Hour show, saying: “It’s goodbye from me, thank you all for listening.”
BBC Breakfast airs from 6am on BBC One and iPlayer.
