UK Records 11 More Coronavirus Deaths In 24 Hours – Lowest Daily Rise Since Early March

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The number of people who have died in the UK after testing positive for coronavirus has risen by 11 over 24 hours – the lowest daily rise since early March.

The Department of Health and Social Care (DHSC) said 44,830 people had died in hospitals, care homes and the wider community after testing positive for coronavirus in the UK as of 5pm on Sunday, up from 44,819 the previous day.

This is the lowest number reported by DHSC since March 12 – when one death was recorded. But reporting is often lower on weekends and the government figures do not include all deaths involving Covid-19 across the UK, which are thought to have passed 55,500.

Here’s a quick primer on what all the different numbers mean and how to understand them.

The DHSC also said that in the 24-hour period up to 9am on Monday, there had been a further 530 lab-confirmed UK cases. Overall, a total of 290,133 cases have been confirmed.

The figures come as Boris Johnson has urged the public to wear face coverings in shops, and said an announcement on whether their use will be compulsory in England will be made in the coming days.

Prime minister Boris Johnson, wearing a face mask, talks with a paramedic as they stand inside the back of an ambulance during a visit to the headquarters of the London Ambulance Service NHS Trust in London.
Prime minister Boris Johnson, wearing a face mask, talks with a paramedic as they stand inside the back of an ambulance during a visit to the headquarters of the London Ambulance Service NHS Trust in London.

The prime minister said that ministers are considering what “tools of enforcement” could be employed as he described the evidence to support their use to slow the spread of coronavirus as “growing”.

Downing Street said on Monday that a formal review was under way after the government faced calls for clarity on the subject.

But Labour called on the Government to address the “confusion” around the use of non-surgical masks “without delay”.

Stricter measures for shoppers in England could bring the nation into line with Scotland, where first minister Nicola Sturgeon made their use compulsory in shops as of Friday.

The PM, wearing a covering during a visit to the London Ambulance Service, said they “have a great deal of value in confined spaces” where people...

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