MORE than 660,680 people have now signed up as NHS volunteers.

Yesterday, it was reported that over 500,000 people had registered to help vulnerable people who have been told not to leave their homes during the coronavirus crisis.

Nearly five people per second enlisted in the government's new volunteering scheme after the Health Secretary, Matt Hancock, issued a call for 250,000 people to help combat the spread of Coronavirus on Tuesday.

The government has now raised that target to 750,000.

Commenting on the number of new volunteers registered over the last couple of days, Chief Executive of NHS England, Simon Stevens, said:

“The response we are seeing from the public to join us in our country’s greatest time of need is extraordinary, and on behalf of everyone working in the NHS, I would like to thank each and every person who has signed up to volunteer – you will be, without a shadow of a doubt, helping us to save lives.

“These are uncertain times for all of us, but they have shown the kindness of our country, and have highlight once again just how much people value the health service and every single person working in it.

“And to anyone else considering joining the ranks of our new volunteer army: the NHS is always there for you, and now is your time to be there for us, and for each other too.”