press briefing
What happened in today’s coronavirus briefing and who chaired it?
THE Government revealed the combined number of fatalities from hospitals, care homes and the wider community for the first time at the coronavirus press briefing today (April 29).
Foreign Secretary, Dominic Raab, chaired the meeting to update the nation on how the government is tackling the outbreak of the virus.
⚠️ Read our coronavirus live blog for the latest news & updates
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Who spoke at the coronavirus press briefing today?
Dominic Raab hosted the conference and used the briefing to congratulate Prime Minister Boris Johnson on the birth of his baby boy.
The Foreign Secretary was accompanied by Public Health England's Yvonne Doyle
Also, Deputy CMO Jonathan Van-Tam was on hand to answer questions.
What happened at the press briefing?
Mr Raab confirmed the total UK coronavirus death toll, which now includes care homes and non-hospital, is 26,097.
Before reminding the public that behind every statistic is a person, who has lost their life, and reassuring the public that deaths in hospitals have fallen.
On the decreasing death rate in hospitals, Doyle said: 'This is broadly good news.
"The numbers in hospital have decreased from over 18 000 to over 15 000.";
The Foreign Secretary went on to add that government was ramping up testing for the virus with 73,000 per day now.
Other topics of discussion included ventilators, PPE and lockdown.
On ventilators and PPE, Mr Raab said: " We'll continue to source ventilators and PPE at home and abroad.
!We're setting ourselves out as the international buyer of choice."
What time was the coronavirus press briefing today?
The press briefing took place between 5pm and 6pm and was held at Downing Street.
These meetings have occurred since March 16 following the outbreak of coronavirus.
It generally begins with the chairman/chairwoman opening with a speech before questions from journalists and the public are taken.
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How can I watch it?
The press briefing is broadcast live daily by the BBC.
It can also be watched through the Government's official account on YouTube.
Additionally, all the latest updates can be found on our coronavirus live blog every day.
What was said yesterday?
On Tuesday, Health Secretary Matt Hancock chaired the coronavirus press conference alongside Professor Angela McLean, the Chief Scientific Adviser to the Ministry of Defence and Professor John Newton.
The health secretary paid tribute to NHS staff and social care workers who have lost their lives as a result of coronavirus.
He said: "These are the nation's fallen heroes and we will remember them."
More on coronavirus
The Government will be publishing the official death toll in care homes on April 29, according to Mr Hancock.
He was however, unable to provide a date for when schools are expected to reopen.
Mr Hancock also said the Government was "working hard" to ensure personal protective equipment gets to health workers.
Matt Hancock calls reporter's request to apologise to families of people who've died of coronavirus in care homes an 'unreasonable question'
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