Coronavirus kills one Brit every 13 minutes as death toll soars to 578 with pandemic claiming 113 lives in one day

THE UK daily coronavirus death toll soared past 100 for the first time – with a victim killed every 13 minutes.

Official figures released today showed the pandemic had claimed 578 lives in Britain, up 113 from the previous total.

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A total of 11,658 people have tested positive in the UK, with 4,300 NHS beds filled with Covid-19 patients.

Police roadblocks were set up today to fine drivers not complying with lockdown laws.

And at 8pm tonight, households clapped NHS staff in a nationwide show of appreciation.

It came as NHS head Sir Simon Stevens warned it faced the biggest challenge since World War Two.

He said today: “I don’t think in the history of the NHS there’s been anything quite like it.

“The nearest parallel I can think of is the way the London hospitals and emergency services came together in the Second World War.”

It emerged that analysis of the first 386 UK Covid-19 deaths found 98 per cent had underlying conditions.

Public Health England Medical Director Professor Yvonne Doyle told the Commons’ Health Committee: “At the moment it is very rare for people to die who do not have some other conditions.”

NHS bosses also launched an urgent review of protective kit for front-line staff amid fears they are spreading the virus.

Officials admitted infected workers showing no symptoms may be passing it on because they lack correct equipment.

Prof Doyle warned up to 30 per cent of infected cases may show no signs — and people could be contagious up to five days before feeling unwell.

Dr Katherine Henderson, head of the Royal College of Emergency Medicine, said a lack of proper kit meant the bug was inevitably being spread around hospitals.

Medical Director Professor Stephen Powis said he had called for a “rapid review” into equipment which should report in the next day or two.

By this morning, a total of 104,866 Brits had been checked for the coronavirus – 7,847 in one day.

The death toll includes “fit and healthy” banker Tim Galley, 47, who died while self-isolating at home in Wrexham.

He had refused to call an ambulance because they would be “too busy dealing with other people”.

The heartbroken family of a grandfather who died from coronavirus also urged others to heed the official advice.

Leonard Gibson, 78, died on St Patrick’s Day, three days after he was admitted to the Northern General Hospital in Sheffield.

It also emerged mum-of-three Kayla Williams, 36, died at her flat in South London of suspected Covid-19 a day after being told to stay at home.

Meanwhile, health chiefs sparked confusion today by changing the way they report the daily death toll.

Staff are said to be struggling to verify data as quickly as before amid soaring rates.

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