UK coronavirus death toll rises by 539

The number of people who have died after testing positive for coronavirus has jumped by 539.

A total of 30,615 people have now died in hospitals, care homes and the wider community after testing positive for coronavirus in the UK as of 5pm on Wednesday.

The number of daily coronavirus tests has fallen below 100,000 for the fifth day in a row since reaching Health Secretary Matt Hancock’s target by the end of April.

Foreign Secretary Dominic Raab said 86,583 were conducted in the 24 hours to 9am on Thursday, up from 69,463 the day before.

It comes after the number of people who died in UK hospitals after being diagnosed with coronavirus rose by 464.

This includes 383 newly reported deaths by NHS England and 59 in Scotland. There were a further 18 deaths in Wales and four in Northern Ireland.

It brings the UK's official total to 30,540, after the country became the first in Europe to pass the grim milestone of 30,000 on Wednesday.

Boris Johnson will reveal the 'second phase' of the UK's response this weekend 
via REUTERS

The PM told ministers that he is reviewing the lockdown rules imposed on March 23 but that any "easement" will be "very limited".

Of the latest Covid-19 deaths in England, victims were aged between 28 and 100, NHS England said.

A lag in the statistics means that 58 of them occurred on May 6, 120 on May 5 and a further 29 on May 4.

The latest data shows that April 8 continues to stand as the peak for daily fatalities at 883. It is thought that the true total death toll stands above 36,000.

The current totals for hospitalised fatalities stand at 22,432 in England, 1,762 in Scotland, 1,062 in Wales and 422 in Northern Ireland - meaning the UK has the second highest toll in the world.

Earlier, the Office for National Statistics released striking data showing black people are four times more likely than whites to die from the virus. Number 10 is investigating the trend.

The Department of Health and Social Care will release the figure including care home deaths and testing levels later this afternoon.

The Prime Minister is set to tell millions of commuters to lengthen rush hour in a televised address to the nation on Sunday as he said he wants to "get going" from next week.

The official UK coronavirus death toll has passed the grim milestone of 30,000
PA

But a Downing Street spokesman cautioned following reports the "stay at home" rule could be relaxed that the country will "advance with maximum caution".

Reports suggest the "second phase" due to be outlined may allow visits to parks and countryside for leisure and rules eased on exercise and picnics.

Labour and devolved leaders have insisted it is too soon to begin to return to lift the curbs.

It comes as ministers continue to face criticism over shortages of PPE (personal protective equipment), after the heralded delivery of 400,000 gowns from Turkey failed safety tests.

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