UK coronavirus deaths jump by 778 to pass 12,000
Another 778 Brits have died to take the UK coronavirus death toll to 12,107 as the daily infection count climbed, official data revealed today.
Another 5,252 Brits had tested positive for coronavirus by 5pm yesterday, the Department for Health revealed.
England counted another 744 coronavirus deaths today to bring the country’s total to 11,005.
London saw the highest number of new coronavirus deaths at 206, followed by 143 in the north west of England.
The Midlands recorded 109 new deaths and 95 people died in the east of England. Ninety-three people died in the north east and Yorkshire.
The NHS England data came after other UK regions announced how many people had died since yesterday.
Scotland’s First Minister Nicola Sturgeon said Scottish hospitals have counted another 40 deaths. And Public Health Wales confirmed another 19 deaths. Northern Ireland has announced 10 new coronavirus deaths.
The daily total of UK coronavirus infections has risen since yesterday, when 4,342 people had caught it.
Overall, UK coronavirus deaths have now topped 12,000 after breaking the 5,000 mark just one week ago.
Earlier the Office for National Statistics revealed coronavirus was behind one in five recent deaths in England and Wales.
England and Wales deaths hit 16,387 in the week ending 3 April, with 6,082 from coronavirus.
Top scientific advisers to the UK government are set to review the coronavirus lockdown later today.
However, the government has said it is unlikely it will lift restrictions on travel in the short term.