Yesterday saw the death toll rise by 260 making it the biggest day-on-day increase in the UK since the outbreak began.

  • As of yesterday in the UK the death toll has risen from 759 to 1,019. It means the total number of deaths is 34 per cent higher than the equivalent figure on Friday.
  • In total, 1,245 people in Scotland have tested positive for coronavirus, up 186 from 1,059 on Friday.
  • The Tees Valley Mayor Ben Houchen called for an empty supermarket to be considered for use as an emergency temporary hospital. The vacant building in Middlesbrough has stood empty for five years after Sainsbury’s opted out of a potential move from its current home in the town’s Wilson Street. Mayor Houchen has written to Cleveland Police’s Chief Constable, Richard Lewis, in his role as Chairman of Gold Command for the response to the coronavirus pandemic.
  • Coronavirus testing for priority National Health Service staff is being ramped up from this weekend in the fight to stem the spread of Covid-19 among key medical workers. The NHS is rolling out testing for frontline staff as the Government increases efforts to ensure the healthcare system can cope with the huge workload, brought on by the pandemic.
  • In England, a further 246 people who tested positive for coronavirus have died, bringing the total number of confirmed reported deaths there to 935, NHS England said. A statement said: "Patients were aged between 33 and 100 years old and all but 13 (aged between 63 and 99 years old) had underlying health conditions."
  • Dog owners have been advised to cut down their pets’ daily calorific intake while restricted to only one walk per day. North-East canine behavioural and training expert Jacquie Hall said owners should also be more imaginative in giving their dogs their daily meals and treats to make them work a little harder for their food.
  • New coronavirus restrictions on public life in Ireland will not be sustainable for a long period, the health minister has said. Simon Harris expressed hope there could be some relaxation of the measures after an initial two-week period of enforcement, but he warned that life will not be returning to normal in the short term. The new clampdown on movement in Ireland came into force at midnight on Friday.
  • Scottish Secretary Alister Jack is self-isolating after developing mild symptoms of coronavirus.
  • Tees firm Cleveland Cable Company has made a delivery of what will be the main power cables for London’s vast new temporary coronavirus hospital. The firm was asked to supply the huge cables that will supply power to the Excel exhibition centre which is being converted into the Nightingale Hospital to treat patients with covid-19