DEADLIEST DAY
UK coronavirus death rate hits new high as 786 deaths recorded in last 24 hours and total passes 6,000
THE UK coronavirus death toll hit a new high today after 786 deaths were recorded - bringing the total past 6,000 on the deadliest day so far.
Positive cases have risen to 55,242 from 51,608 yesterday as Britain continues to be gripped by the deadly disease.
⚠️ Read our coronavirus live blog for the latest news & updates
3
The death toll had dropped for two days in a row after yesterday's number of victims fell from 621 to 439 taking the overall total to 5,373.
But this is the same pattern as last Monday when the death toll dropped for two days running - suggesting a possible lag in deaths recorded over the weekend.
The Department of Health (DoH) revealed the total death toll is now at 6,159 - up from 5,373 the day before.
But the figure includes all deaths reported up until 5pm on Monday - meaning they differ slightly from the NHS, who use a different time frame to collate numbers.
And the true total will also be higher as today's DoH total did not include Manchester, Leeds or Northern Ireland.
It comes as NHS England revealed the highest jump so far today after 758 deaths were recorded in 24 hours - bringing the total to 5,655.
The victims were aged between 23 and 102 - with the 23-year-old having no underlying health conditions.
In Scotland today, 74 more people have died - bringing the total number of deaths to 296.
While in Wales, 19 further deaths has pushed their total to 212.
In Northern Ireland, there have been three more deaths - bringing the total to 73.
New figures released today revealed coronavirus was responsible for one in 20 deaths in the UK.
The separate figures from the Office of National Statistics show 501 virus victims died in hospital in the week up to March 27 - meaning 38 others were killed by the disease while at home.
Last week, the ONS revealed there had been at least 40 deaths at home up to March 20 - so 78 have died from the virus outside of hospital so far.
A five-year-old with underlying health conditions became the youngest coronavirus victim in the UK at the weekend.
The youngster is now believed to be the youngest Covid-19 death in Europe after a 12-year-old girl passed away in Belgium earlier this week.
Give now to The Sun's NHS appeal
BRITAIN’s four million NHS staff are on the frontline in the battle against coronavirus.
But while they are helping save lives, who is there to help them?
The Sun has launched an appeal to raise £1MILLION for NHS workers.
The Who Cares Wins Appeal aims to get vital support to staff in their hour of need.
We have teamed up with NHS Charities Together in their urgent Covid-19 Appeal to ensure the money gets to exactly who needs it.
The Sun is donating £50,000 and we would like YOU to help us raise a million pounds, to help THEM.
No matter how little you can spare, please donate today here
www.
It comes as Boris Johnson was last night rushed into intensive care as he continues to battle coronavirus at St Thomas' Hospital in London.
The PM needed four litres of oxygen after struggling to breathe but has not needed a ventilator or other breathing equipment.
In a joint statement from Downing Street and St Thomas’ hospital, they said: “The PM has been stable overnight and remains in good spirits.
“He is receiving standard oxygen treatment and is breathing without any other assistance.
“He has not required mechanical ventilation or non-invasive respiratory support.”
Michael Gove is now self-isolating after a member of his family developed coronavirus symptoms.
Foreign Secretary Dominic Raab, who is also the First Secretary of State, will now run the Government and take charge of the fight against the virus.
Politicians from across the globe and all parties have wished Mr Johnson the best.
CORONAVIRUS CRISIS - STAY IN THE KNOW
Don't miss the latest news and figures - and essential advice for you and your family.
To receive The Sun's Coronavirus newsletter in your inbox every tea time, .
To follow us on Facebook, simply .
Get Britain's best-selling newspaper delivered to your smartphone or tablet each day - .
The hashtag #PrayForBoris also immediately began trending on Twitter as tens of thousands of Brits urged the PM to pull through.
It comes as the Queen today thanked Britain's NHS heroes for their "selfless commitment and diligence" in the fight against coronavirus.
Her Majesty said: “The dedication to service of countless nurses, midwives and other health workers, in these most challenging of circumstances, is an example to us all.”
The Queen added that in "testing times we often observe that the best of the human spirit comes to the fore."
Yesterday, the death toll rose by 439 - a slight fall from the day before when 621 people died.
But the total number of deaths in the UK is still higher than China and Iran's official tallies.
Based on figures released by both countries' governments, Britain's total death toll higher than China's total of 3,335 where the outbreak started.
And the latest deaths put Britain higher than Iran's official death toll of 3,872.
MOST READ IN NEWS
The figures for both countries have been posted on the John Hopkins University website but their governments have been accused of hiding the true numbers of deaths.
This week marks 100 days since the World Health Organisation was first alerted to a mystery illness in China when a handful of people fell ill in Wuhan.
Since then, cases have soared to more than 1million globally with the total number of deaths around the world passing 70,000.
3
3
Coronavirus patient Matt Dockray, 39, tells of terrifying 'fight' to survive on intensive care unit in 3-week battle with the disease