UK’s death toll slows as 439 people die from coronavirus

The number of people who have died in the UK after contracting coronavirus has reached 5,373 after another 439 were confirmed dead.

The daily increase in deaths has dropped for the second day in a row, following a rise of 621 deaths on Sunday and 708 on Saturday.

It took 17 days for the death count in the UK to pass 200, but it has taken a further 16 days for the number to pass 5,000.

The toll was updated by the Department of Health after England recorded another 403 deaths, and a further 27 people were confirmed dead in Wales. Scotland recorded two more deaths today.

A total of 51,608 people have now tested positive for coronavirus. A week ago, on March 30, the total was 22,141.

The latest figures emerged after Boris Johnson said he had a ‘comfortable’ night in hospital after being admitted on Sunday with persistent coronavirus symptoms.

Mr Johnson’s official spokesman said he continued to lead the Government and had been working on official papers from his bed.

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The Prime Minister was said to be in ‘good spirits’ but is still under observation at St Thomas’ Hospital in London as a ‘precaution’.

The spokesman declined to give details of any treatment he had received or when he might be discharged.

‘The Prime Minister was admitted to hospital for tests last night as a precaution. The issue is that his symptoms remain persistent,’ the spokesman said.

He added: ‘The Prime Minister had a comfortable night at St Thomas’ Hospital in London and is in good spirits. He remains in hospital under observation.’

In Mr Johnson’s absence, the daily government coronavirus meeting was chaired by Dominic Raab, the Foreign Secretary and First Secretary of State.

However, the PM’s spokesman said that he had received his ministerial red box containing his official papers and was continuing to work from hospital.

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‘He continues to receive a box. The Prime Minister remains in charge of the Government.’

Meanwhile, the Local Government Association has warned councils will be ‘reluctantly forced to close’ parks if people continue to break rules around social distancing.

The warning came after a senior minister urged councils not to shut parks unless it is ‘impossible’ to maintain social distancing in them.

Housing and Communities Secretary Robert Jenrick said on Monday that he had called local leaders to warn them to be ‘very judicious’ in locking open spaces.

One London authority closed a park over the weekend after reporting thousands of visitors flocking to it to enjoy the sunny, warm weather.

The closure of some spaces especially in built-up areas has sparked concerns that public confidence could be lost if those in power with gardens and ample living space tell those who live in crowded conditions they cannot go to the park or exercise outdoors.

Mr Jenrick said he had a ‘lot of sympathy’ in that respect and called on councils to take a sensible approach.

‘This is their decision, but I have asked them to be very judicious in taking that step and only to do that where they feel it is impossible to maintain social distancing rules within their parks or open spaces,’ he told BBC Radio 4’s Today programme.

‘I think that is what motivated them over the weekend.’

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