UK coronavirus death toll hits 27,510 as 739 more die of killer bug in hospitals, care homes and community

THE UK's coronavirus death toll has risen to 27,510, new figures reveal.

It is a rise of 739 on yesterday’s tally – with data now combined to include deaths in hospitals, care homes and the wider community.

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Today's jump is bigger than it was yesterday, when 674 fatalities were recorded across the UK.

Until this week, the Government had only released the number of coronavirus deaths in hospitals each day – excluding a significant proportion of the overall toll.

Matt Hancock revealed the true figures in today’s daily briefing, adding that 177,454 had now tested positive for the bug - up 6,201 from yesterday.

'WE HAVE MET OUR GOAL'

The Health Secretary confirmed today that the UK had reached its testing goal of 100,000 coronavirus tests per day by the end of April.

A huge ramping up on the last day of April meant an extra 40,000 tests were done, bringing the total number of those tested yesterday to 122,347.

Mr Hancock said: "I knew it was an audacious goal, but we needed an audacious goal because testing is so important."

"I can announce we have met our goal."

However, critics pointed out that the testing figure included thousands of home test kits that had been sent out in the post but had not yet all taken place.

Mr Hancock also warned lockdown measures will not be lifted until it is safe to do so, adding: “In recent weeks we've had to impinge on historic liberties to protect our NHS and our loved ones - and yet our goal must be freedom.

I knew it was an audacious goal, but we needed an audacious goal because testing is so important. I can announce we have met our goal."

Health Secretary Matt Hancock

"Freedom from the virus, yes, and we will not lift measures until it is safe to do so.

“We care about the restoration of social freedom and economic freedom too – each citizen's right to do as they please.

“We are impinging on the freedom of all for the safety of all.”

Earlier today, NHS England announced a further 391 had died in English hospitals, bringing the overall tally in England 20,483.

Patients were aged between 30 and 103 years old and included a healthy 43-year-old.

In Scotland, 1,515 people have now died from the killer bug - up 40 since yesterday.

In Wales, 17 more deaths were announced today, bringing the death toll there to 925.

It comes as:

• Lockdown may last for months if daily cases stay above 1,000
• Interactive map shows covid-19 deaths in your area
• Brits to be asked to wear face masks after lockdown
• Ryan Air expects to cut 3,000 jobs
• Scientists expect vaccine by summer

This morning, the Office for National Statistics revealed twice as many people have died from the bug in poor areas as they have in rich ones.

Between March 1 and April 17, the poorest parts of England saw 55.1 coronavirus deaths per 100,000 population, compared with 25.3 deaths per 100,000 in the wealthiest areas.

The data also showed more people died from the bug in London than in any other areas between March and April, with 85.7 coronavirus deaths per 100,000 population.

The West Midlands had the second highest rate, followed by the North West and the North East - while the South West recorded the fewest number of deaths from the bug.

LIVES LOST

Among those who have lost their loved ones is dad Chris Cadby who lost his wife, Julianne, and his mother-in-law to Covid-19 in the space of three weeks - before battling the deadly virus himself.

The dad broke down in tears when his son asked him - "who's next daddy, you or me?"

Speaking to Sky News this morning Chris, 43, said: "He came down, I already had to tell him on Sunday that his granny had died.

"I called him down I said: 'Evan, mummy has gone to be with granny' and he came over and gave me a hug. He had a little cry.

"In the afternoon he said 'who's next daddy, is it going to be you or me?' I said I hope it's none of us. We don't want any more do we?'"

RAY OF HOPE

In a bid to give hope to worried Brits, the Prime Minister tweeted this morning: "I can confirm that we are past the peak of this disease. We are past the peak and we are on the downward slope."

He added: "We can only defeat coronavirus by our collective discipline and working together."

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It comes after Mr Johnson chaired his first cornavirus briefing in a month last night, after fighting off the killer bug himself and welcoming his newborn son.

He explained he will set out a comprehensive plan next week to kick start the economy, get kids back to school and find a way to make workplaces safer.

It will even include Brits being told to wear face masks in public when lockdown measures are lifted.

But the lockdown could last for months - until the number of new cases falls below 1,000 a day.

Professor Chris Whitty warned "Winter is Coming" as the number of new daily cases jumped to 6,032 from 4,076 last night.

He said: "It's not just in Game Of Thrones that winter is always coming.

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"The winter is always worse than summer, spring and autumn for health services."

He told a video conference hosted by Gresham College: "Covid-19 is a very long way from finished and eradication is technically impossible for this disease."

Today's figures from NHS England has been revised to exclude six deaths which were incorrectly recorded on Tuesday.

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