UK coronavirus daily death rate almost DOUBLES in 24 hours after 828 more die taking total to 17,337

THE UK coronavirus death rate has almost doubled in 24 hours after 828 people died - as the grim total passed 17,000 fatalities. 

At least 17,337 have now died from the deadly bug across the UK as the daily rate shot up from the 449 deaths announced yesterday.

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Patients aged between 22 and 103-years-old were among the fatalities recorded in the past 24 hours.

At least 24 of the 828 people killed, including a 49-year-old, had no underlying health conditions.

The new deaths announced today are a sharp jump on the 449 announced in Britain yesterday and the 596 announced on Sunday.

It is the highest daily figure since Saturday but is roughly in line with last week, when deaths stayed between 717 and 888 a day.

A lag in reporting deaths over the weekend means the figures are usually lower on Monday before jumping up on Tuesday.

Meanwhile, coronavirus cases in the UK today increased to more than 129,000 after 4,301 more people tested positive for COVID-19.

More than 500,000 tests have been carried out in Britain with 18,206 taking place yesterday.

According to the Department of Health, 129,044 people have now tested positive for the killer bug, with the death toll rising to 17,337.

Last Tuesday, which was after the Easter weekend, 778 deaths were recorded in the UK.

Scotland's death toll today hit 985 after 70 more deaths were reported. And in Wales a further 25 people died bringing the death toll there to 609.

But today new figures suggested the death toll could be 40% higher than has been reported.

New stats revealed 13,121 fatalities in England and Wales up to April 10 - compared to the 9,288 announced at the time.

It comes as:

• Shock new figures revealed the death toll could be 40% higher than reported
• Brits were warned they may have to live with many coronavirus restrictions throughout 2020
• The NHS could face a shortage of face masks if the public are told to wear them too
• The country could face an "inevitable" second wave of coronavirus, a top scientist warned
• Vital PPE is being shipped from UK warehouses across Europe

The health department today announced 17,337 people have died from coronavirus in the UK. If the same lag in recording still applies, 7,108 deaths are yet to be reported.

This suggests more than 24,000 people may have already died.

It comes after a top scientist today warned Britain could see the "inevitable" second wave of coronavirus hit at the same time as a deadly flu strain.

Robin Shattock of Imperial College said the NHS could be hit badly if the lockdown was relaxed and Covid-19 re-emerged at the same time as the flu.

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But senior government figures last night braced the nation to expect a very long path out of coronavirus restrictions.

A “suck it and see” plan is now being drawn up based on scientists’ data crunching to see what restrictions to try easing first.

One senior figure told The Sun: “We will try a bit at a time, and then pause, so we can see what effect that has on the transmission rate. The pace will be very gradual".

And Tory sources claimed Boris Johnson was resisting calls to end the lockdown early because of his own battle with the virus.

A Conservative MP told  that fighting for his life in intensive care had changed the Prime Minister.

They said: “The Prime Minister is in a funny place, I think he's quite frightened.

“His illness and the warning from the doctors has really hit him hard.

“To find himself floored like this has got into his head.

“He has become really tentative.”

Mr Johnson is still not working, but instead getting daily updates from his team.

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Mr Johnson had stressed back in March he expected the country to be able to "turn the tide" in 12 weeks.

Now recovering at Chequers after being released from hospital a week ago, the PM is considered one of the “doves” who oppose lifting lockdown early.

He is joined by Health Secretary Matt Hancock, who also contracted the virus.

The “hawks” are those more worried about the economic impact of a long-term shutdown and want to ease restrictions sooner.

This is said to include Chancellor Rishi Sunak, the Trade Secretary Liz Truss and Cabinet Office minister Michael Gove.

PPE CONCERNS

Meanwhile, the NHS could face a shortage of face masks if the public are told to wear them too, health chiefs have warned.

The Government has already admitted it is grappling with a global shortage of protective kit, and a rush on facemasks could 

But while the NHS is still under incredible pressure trying to protect their workers with inadequate levels of personal protective equipment (PPE), any change in advice could be dangerous for the health service.

Ministers have been urged not to recommend masks to the public unless there is “clear evidence” that benefits outweigh the risk to the health service.

London Mayor Sadiq Khan and former PM Tony Blair have both added their voices to the calls for masks.

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Desperate officials had scrambled an RAF plane to Turkey yesterday to collect a delayed delivery of gowns.

But it could still be sat on the tarmac as the NHS faces critically low numbers.

Two more jets are on standby but sources say the full consignment is still not ready and may not arrive here until the end of the week.