UK coronavirus death toll in hospitals rises by 569 to 2,921, health officials confirm

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Jacob Jarvis2 April 2020

A further 569 UK hospital patients diagnosed with coronavirus have died, marking the biggest daily spike in deaths so far.

A total of 2,921 people who tested positive for Covid-19 have died while in care, according to Department of Health figures.

The numbers were correct as of 5pm on Wednesday.

The toll was at 2,352 the day before and the latest increase surpasses yesterday's day-on-day rise of 563, which had then been the largest 24-hour rise.

Fresh figures also state 163,194 people have been tested in the UK, as of 9am today, 33,718 of which have returned positive results.

A week ago today, March 26, that number was 11,658.

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The tallies are not a representation of people currently infected with the virus but are a rolling number of every confirmed case since the start of the outbreak.

There are also fears the true toll could be far higher, as thousands of cases may not have been formally diagnosed. Some people may also have the virus but be asymptomatic.

Meanwhile, as pressure mounts for more tests to be carried out, Public Health England said 10,657 were conducted yesterday in England.

The country currently has capacity to carry out 12,799 per day.

Health Secretary Matt Hancock vowed to up the number of screenings being carried out, while Number 10 said work was ongoing with nine potential suppliers on developing an antibody test.

This would show whether people have had the virus.

Such a test would enable people to get back to work quickly. Some experts speculate this type of testing is the quickest way out of the current lockdown, which the nation is currently in the second week of.

The Prime Minister’s spokesman said: “We are working as quickly as we can on that and as soon as a test is approved then we will announce it publicly.”

Listen to today's episode of The Leader: Coronavirus Daily podcast

The lockdown is set to continue for a third week at which point it will be reviewed.

However, health experts have warned against a sudden lift of the measures, with it suggested that restrictions would gradually reduce.

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