UK coronavirus death toll up by 288 in lowest rise since end of March

Updated figures for England come as authorities in Wales, Northern Ireland and Scotland all announce additional Covid-19 deaths
David Child4 May 2020

The number of people who have died after testing positive for coronavirus has risen by 288, to a total of 28,734.

The figure, announced by Health Secretary Matt Hancock at the daily Downing Street briefing, applies to those who have died in hospitals, care homes and the wider community.

Mr Hancock said it was the lowest rise since the end of March, but that the country had to go "further and faster" to control the virus.

He also pointed out that reported figures "tend to be lower over the weekend", adding: "We do expect that number to rise”.

Separately, the number of people to have died in UK hospitals after contracting coronavirus has increased by 229, the lowest jump since March 29, when 214 fatalities were recorded.

April 8 continues to have the highest number for the most hospital deaths occurring on a single day, with a current total of 867.

On Monday, NHS England announced another 204 deaths among people who tested positive for Covid-19, taking the total number of confirmed reported deaths in hospitals in England to 21,384.

Public Health Wales confirmed a further 14 people had died after contracting coronavirus in Wales.

First Minister Mark Drakeford said the numbers of coronavirus cases, deaths and people in hospital with Covid-19 in Wales are all decreasing.

Elsewhere in the UK, Northern Ireland reported an additional six deaths, while officials in Scotland recorded another five fatalities.

The developments came as staff at London's Nightingale hospital were told the facility will be put “on standby” within days as a result of the capital passing the peak of coronavirus cases.

The Government is meanwhile weighing measures to get Britons back to work in a bid to restart the economy, according to a draft plan seen by the BBC.

Prime Minister Boris Johnson is expected to reveal his "roadmap" for exiting lockdown at the end of this week.

Listen to The Leader: Coronavirus Daily podcast

Mr Johnson said last week that the UK was "past the peak" in coronavirus cases.

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