Coronavirus UK: Death toll hits 5,368 as 403 die in England

Paramedics are pictured carrying oxygen tanks into ambulances outside the NHS Nightingale Hospital in London today

England, Scotland and Wales have declared 434 more deaths caused by the coronavirus today, taking the UK’s total to 5,368. 

Scotland and Wales have independently declared 31 extra deaths in the past 24 hours.

The statistics are a glimmer of hope as the increase in death numbers is the lowest it has been since March 31, when it was 381.

However, numbers of fatalities recorded on Sundays and published on Mondays have, since the outbreak in the UK began, been followed by an upward surge on Tuesday.

The Department of Health’s all-UK roundup is expected to be published this afternoon.

Scotland was the first to declare new cases today, with 255 new positive tests and just four new deaths, taking its totals to 222 and 3,961.

Wales declared a further 302 cases and 27 more deaths, meaning it has now had 3,499 positive tests and 193 people have died. 

NHS England revealed 403 more deaths have been recorded in its hospitals, among people aged between 35 and 106.

All but 15 of them had other health problems.

The majority of the deaths happened in London again, with a total of 129, followed by 75 in the Midlands, 67 in the North East and Yorkshire, 44 in the East of England, 43 in the North West, 27 in the South West and 18 in the South East.

Today’s statistics come as Prime Minister Boris Johnson remains in hospital after being admitted in central London last night because he has had a fever for so long.

The PM’s spokesman said he is still ‘under observation’ and refused to say whether he has been diagnosed with pneumonia.

But he insisted Mr Johnson is in ‘good spirits’ and still in contact with aides.

The 55-year-old was admitted to St Thomas’ Hospital, which is near Downing Street, last night after doctors raised alarm that his temperature still not subsided 10 days after his positive test.

There are warnings from ministers that he has ‘risked his health’ by keeping up a frantic work rate, while one senior Tory said he must learn he is ‘not indispensable’ and has to rest. 

Boris Johnson (pictured on Downing Street clapping NHS staff on April 2) has been admitted to hospital after testing positive for coronavirus

One MP suggested that he was too keen to emulate his hero, Winston Churchill by defying illness.

No 10 has insisted it was not an emergency admission and the premier remains in control of the government’s response, despite staying in hospital with no clear time-frame for being discharged.

However, his effective deputy Dominic Raab chaired the daily coronavirus crisis committee meeting this morning, and full Cabinet tomorrow has been postponed.

Mr Johnson tweeted: ‘Last night, on the advice of my doctor, I went into hospital for some routine tests as I’m still experiencing coronavirus symptoms.

‘I’m in good spirits and keeping in touch with my team, as we work together to fight this virus and keep everyone safe.

‘I’d like to say thank you to all the brilliant NHS staff taking care of me and others in this difficult time. You are the best of Britain. 

‘Stay safe everyone, and please remember to stay at home to protect the NHS and save lives.’

Experts say there is a risk of pneumonia when a temperature lasts more than a week. There have been claims Mr Johnson has been coughing heavily during conference calls.

The PM’s spokesman declined to say whether he had pneumonia, although they dismissed claims emanating from Russia that he is on a ventilator as ‘disinformation’.

Asked if symptoms are ‘mild’ – the word previously used to describe them – the spokesman instead said they were ‘persistent’ and included a ‘a temperature and a cough’.

‘The Prime Minister was admitted to hospital for tests last night, his symptoms have remained persistent,’ the spokesman said.

‘He had a comfortable night in St Thomas’s Hospital in London and is in good spirits. He remains in hospital under observation.’

It emerged at the weekend that Mr Johnson’s pregnant partner Carrie Symonds has also been suffering coronavirus, although she is now ‘on the mend’. The government’s chief medical adviser Chris Whitty has also recovered in a glimmer of good news.

Earlier, Housing Secretary Robert Jenrick said Mr Johnson had been ‘working incredibly hard’ and said he hoped he would be back in Downing Street soon – but did not rule out him being forced to stay in for longer.

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