Britain announces hundreds more coronavirus deaths

Britain today announced 252 more coronavirus deaths, taking the UK’s official fatality toll to 31,493. 

The preliminary figure – yet to be confirmed by officials – is calculated by adding up the individual updates from each of the home nations.

NHS England today recorded 207 more COVID-19 deaths, followed by Scotland (36), Wales (nine). Northern Ireland is still to announce its figures later today.

The Department of Health has yet to release the final daily toll, which takes into account care home fatalities in England and also provides an update on cases, hospital admissions and testing. 

It comes as thousands of Britons today ignored the Government’s plea to stay indoors by heading to busy parks and markets to enjoy 26C temperatures. 

The true size of Britain’s actual COVID-19 outbreak remains a mystery because of ministers’ controversial decision to abandon mass testing early on in the crisis.

A leading epidemiologist last night claimed two thirds of cases in Britain are undiagnosed because the Government refuses to recognise symptoms like loss of taste or smell – which other countries like the US acknowledge as signs of infection.  

Meanwhile, police today turned sun-worshipping covidiots away from the seaside as the Coastguard reports its highest number of call-outs since stay-at-home rules began. 

Boris Johnson begged Britons to stay at home during the last days of full lockdown, ahead of his address to the nation tomorrow night when he’s expected to relax some of the measures.

The Prime Minister warned that venturing outside during the sunny weather could ‘undo everything that’s been done so far’. 

But he was accused of mixed messaging after being pictured strolling through St James’ Park this morning carrying a reusable Costa coffee cup, a commuter staple.   

Pictures showed a passer-by accosting Mr Johnson and apparently give him a piece of his mind, with a photo showing him pointing a finger at the dumbfounded PM as a smiling woman looked on.

Tomorrow the PM is expected to reveal his plans to ease the UK’s coronavirus lockdown, with commuters urged to cycle to work, firms told to provide staff with face masks and garden centres allowed to reopen from Wednesday. 

A member of the public stopped to give British Prime Minister Boris Johnson a talking to as he took a morning walk through St James’s Park, London today. He was carrying a reusable Costa coffee cup 

Visitors walk through a busy Broadway Market in London today despite Mr Johnson urging Britons to stay at home over the weekend 

Parliament Square in Westminster witnessed huge crowds of cyclists as people enjoyed what is expected to be the hottest day of the year with 26C temperatures 

Mr Johnson told Cabinet last week that he will be proceeding with ‘maximum caution’ in order to avoid a second wave of deadly infections.

But he is expected to detail initial changes to some of the draconian curbs currently in place to allow the UK economy to get moving again. 

Mr Johnson’s lockdown exit strategy is expected to include: 

• A green light for garden centres to reopen from Wednesday.
• A direction to workers to cycle or walk to work if they are able to. 
• Firms will be told they must provide staff with face masks to be worn at work, on public transport and when shopping. But wearing face coverings will not be compulsory. 
• A phased return for schools amid growing opposition from unions. 
• A phased return for public transport use as union bosses warn they will not risk the health of their workers. 
• All travellers returning to the UK will be told to self-isolate for 14 days or face fines of up to £1,000. 
• A legal right to work from home is also being considered by ministers but may not be in the plan.