UK Coronavirus death toll rises to 7,097 as number of cases passes 60,000

  • Video report by ITV News Correspondent Geraint Vincent

A total of 938 people have died from coronavirus in the UK in the past 24 hours, the Department of Health has said, bringing the total number of deaths to 7,097.

There were also 5,492 new cases recorded, bringing the total number of UK cases to 60,733.

Chancellor Rishi Sunak confirmed at the daily coronavirus press briefing that the prime minister remained in intensive care but his condition was "improving".

The 938 people who died of Covid-19 is the highest single day death toll recorded for the UK so far and experts believe the situation is still likely to worsen before it gets better.

There remains no word of whether the UK's lockdown will be extended as Mr Sunak explained not enough data had been collected to evaluate whether the peak had been reached and therefore safe to ease the restrictions.

  • Video report by ITV News Political Editor Libby Weiner

Mr Johnson had on Monday been due to oversee a three-week review of the lockdown rules – brought in last month to curb the spread of the disease.

Downing Street said it will go ahead as planned, but that the public needed to “stick with it” at a “critical time” in the epidemic.

The Prime Minister’s official spokesman said the review would take place “on or around” the three-week mark on Monday.

Coronavirus: A breakdown of figures across the UK

It means the number of deaths registered as being Covid-19 related in Scotland is 366, up from 296 on Tuesday.

In Wales, 33 more people have died after contracting coronavirus, bringing the total number of deaths to 245.

Northern Ireland has seen a further five deaths, bringing the total number there to 78.

Police officers outside the hospital where the prime minister is being treated. Credit: PA

It comes as the prime minister, Boris Johnson, remains in hospital being treated for the virus.

Downing Street said the 55-year-old continues to receive "standard oxygen treatment” and is “breathing without any other assistance".

The PM is not working while in intensive care, despite his desire to lead the country's response to the virus, and has left Dominic Raab in charge of steering the country through his plans.

A Number 10 spokesman said: “The PM is not working, he’s in intensive care, he has the ability to contact those that he needs to, he’s following the advice of his doctors at all times.

“We are hugely grateful for the messages of support that the Prime Minister has received.

“I think the public response to coronavirus throughout has been fantastic and that has been best exemplified by the applause they’ve been giving to NHS staff every week.”

Coronavirus testing: 14,000 tested, far short of government's end of month target

Downing Street has said the most recent figures show 14,006 coronavirus tests were carried out on Tuesday in England, Scotland and Wales.

The Government has set a daily target of 100,000 tests to be achieved by the end of April.

The Prime Minister's official spokesman said the total number of tests conducted at drive-through sites for NHS staff has now reached 9,069.

In all, more than 20,000 NHS staff and their family members have been tested for the disease.