DEADLY MILESTONE
UK coronavirus death toll passes 20,000 benchmark government said would be ‘good result’ for Britain to stay below
CORONAVIRUS deaths in the UK today passed the government's best-case scenario of up to 20,000 victims after 813 more people died.
The grim milestone was given back in March as a benchmark for Britain "doing very well" in the pandemic.
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The Department of Health confirmed the current death toll is now at 20,319 after 813 more people lost their lives.
Positive coronavirus cases also rose from 143,464 to 148,377 today - five weeks into drastic lockdown measures to stop the spread of the disease.
In March, Professor Stephen Powis, NHS England medical director, gave the grisly best case scenario of up to 20,000 deaths as he urged Brits to follow social distancing guidelines.
Speaking at the government's daily briefing, he said: "If we can keep deaths below 20,000 we will have done very well in this epidemic.
"If we do reduce the levels to below the level which we thought, that won't be because we are somehow lucky, it won't be because the virus is somehow acting differently in this country.
"It will be because the British public complied with the advice given."
It comes as:
- Brits could meet pals under relaxed lockdown rules - but Priti Patel is due to read the riot act
- Premier League football could be back on TV within weeks with games behind closed doors
- New parents could receive full maternity pay despite being furloughed
- Workers could go back to "coronavirus-secure" offices from mid-May
- B&Q and Homebase shoppers today flocked to reopened stores as Brits started to venture out
One expert warned without lockdown, half a million Brits could die from the bug - causing Boris Johnson to pull the trigger.
At the time, 1,019 people had died from the killer bug, with 17,089 infected.
The tally means Britain has become the fifth country to pass 20,000 deaths in hospital from Covid-19 - behind the US, Italy, Spain and France.
In England today, 711 more deaths have been reported in 24 hours - meaning there have been 18,084 total deaths.
NHS England confirmed the latest victims were aged between 34 and 100 - with 87 having no underlying medical conditions.
The 34-year-old was among the group with no previous health issues.
In Scotland today, 47 more people have died - bringing the death toll to 1,231.
While in Wales, there have been 23 further deaths - with their total now at 774.
Northern Ireland has suffered 16 deaths - bringing the total death toll to 294.
Among the latest deaths is a beloved pub landlord known to thousands of Cheltenham racegoers.
Dad-of-three Alexander Grierson, 67, lived near the course and was pulling pints at his boozer, The Beehive, during the Cheltenham Festival which ran from March 10 to 13.
Tragic twin sisters also died within just three days of each after testing positive for the disease.
NHS children's nurse Katy Davis, 38, passed away on Tuesday at Southampton General Hospital.
Her identical twin sister Emma - a former nurse - died just three days later at the same hospital.
At least 121 health and care workers have now died with the deadly bug, according to Nursing Notes, a platform run and checked by nurses.
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Yesterday, the UK's coronavirus toll rose to 19,506 after 768 more deaths were reported in 24 hours.
It was the lowest death rate recorded on a Friday for the third week in a row - suggesting lockdown may be working.
It comes as Britain's lockdown rules could be relaxed to allow people to socialise with ten of their closest family and friends.
Ministers are reportedly looking at easing strict "stay at home" rules in favour of creating groups of people known as "clusters" or "bubbles".
It is hoped the potential easing would allow close family members to meet for meals, allow couples who do not live together to see each other, and allow friends to share childcare.
But Home Secretary Priti Patel will warn today that if people continue to flout lockdown measures, rules will be made stricter.
Britain entered the coronavirus lockdown on March 24, and some European nations are beginning to ease measures.
But the government is keen to not jump too soon in relaxing the rules in case the UK is hit by a second deadly wave.
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Britain must first meet five key tests including slashing the number of cases and securing regular supplies of PPE by a deadline of May 7.
Currently the UK rules state that people should not meet up with anyone they do not live with.
And people continue to be urged to stay inside and only go out for essentials such as food shopping or daily exercise.
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