UK experiences lowest coronavirus death toll since the end of March

The UK has seen its lowest number of daily Covid-19 deaths since March 24 according to communities secretary Robert Jenrick.

He said that just 113 people have died in the past day from the virus as less than 2000 new cases were confirmed by tests over the same period.

Recording of deaths does tend to be lower over weekends however.

At today's Downing Street briefing he said that more than 4.2 million people have been tested for coronavirus across the UK in total, with115,725 tests carried out yesterday.

UK health secretary Matt Hancock had claimed earlier that the 200,000 tests a day target that was to have been reached by the end of May had now been achieved.

Mr Jenrick said that 274,762 people are currently infected with the virus – an increase of 1936 cases – but the number of people in hospital now stands at 7639, which is a fall of 15 per cent on the same time last week.

The death toll now stands at 38,489.

Mr Jenrick said £160 million is to be made available to build 6000 new homes to provide those living on the streets permanent shelter, including 3300 over the next 12 months.

That move is likely to providing a funding boost through Barnett consequentials to the Scottish Government.

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