Britain’s coronavirus death toll jumps by 953 to 8,931
The UK’s coronavirus death toll today jumped by 953 to 8,931, according to figures released by all of the home nations.
England recorded 866 new fatalities among patients in hospital, while the other 87 were confirmed in Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland.
The preliminary figure – the official toll has yet to be released by the Department of Health – would be the darkest day yet in Britain’s crisis.
Data also suggests it would be Europe’s bleakest day, overtaking the grim milestone set by Spain on April 2 of 950 new hospital deaths.
It comes after a top government adviser warned today Britain won’t know for weeks whether the draconian lockdown can be eased.
The UK’s coronavirus outbreak appears to be coming out of its rapid acceleration phase this week, Government scientists have cautiously pointed out