Britain’s coronavirus death toll has increased by 936 to 7,172 after the deadliest day yet.
England has recorded the most deaths (6,483), followed by Scotland (366), Wales (245) and Northern Ireland (78), with the combined total yesterday 6,236.
Of the 828 new deaths in England, the youngest victim was just 22, the oldest was 103, and 46 of the patients had no known underlying health conditions.
The increase came as a 29-year-old NHS nurse was revealed to be among the latest victims and 14 London transport workers were confirmed dead during the outbreak.
Prime Minister Boris Johnson remains in intensive care at a London hospital, where he was said to be in “good spirits” and responding to treatment.
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The Department of Health, which on Tuesday reported 6,159 deaths, will release its official death toll later. It will be as of 5pm on Tuesday, but its total is likely to be lower than 7,172 because new deaths have occurred since its reporting deadline.
NHS England said a further 828 people have died in the country's hospitals. England's death toll now stands at 6,483.
Scotland announced 70 new deaths, taking its total to 366, with an additional 366 confirmed cases, bringing its infection count to 4,565.
Public Health Wales said 33 more patients had died. Its total stood at 245.
In Northern Ireland, 78 patients have now died after five new deaths.
Meanwhile Wales has announced that its lockdown will be extended beyond the Easter weekend.
Julie James, the Welsh Housing and Local Government Minister, said: “It’s almost two and half weeks since we asked people to stay at home to work from home whenever they can.
“These measures will stay in place next week. We have taken these measures because by working together we can stop the spread of this virus.”
NHS nurse Rebecca Mack was among the latest coronavirus victims. It is believe she had been working for NHS 111 recently.
The 29-year-old, who used to work in the children’s cancer unit at the Royal Victoria Infirmary in Newcastle, died on Sunday.
Devastated friends described her as “warm”, “charismatic” and “fiercely independent”.
Mayor Sadiq Khan confirmed that 14 transport workers in London had died after contracting the virus.
It came amid calls for better protection for transport staff, who are classed as key workers.
The family of one victim, 36-year-old Emeka Nyack Ihenacho, begged for workers to be given personal protective equipment (PPE), including masks and gloves.
The Government’s current guidelines for transport workers do not recommend PPE.
Nine prisoners and convicted criminals on probation have died after contracting coronavirus.
Jo Farrar, chief executive of HM Prison & Probation Service, said 118 prisoners and probation offenders have been diagnosed with the disease.
Almost 40 staff have also tested positive.
Meanwhile, a spokesman for Mr Johnson said the Prime Minister was still in intensive care but was responding to treatment for coronavirus at St Thomas’ Hospital.
Mr Johnson was in “good spirits” following his third night in hospital, the spokesman added.
The Prime Minister was diagnosed with Covid-19 almost two weeks ago.
The UK is in the third week of its lockdown and it is set to be extended.
When it was announced, Mr Johnson said it would be reviewed after three weeks.
The World Health Organisation has cautioned against lifting lockdowns and warned that the pandemic will not end soon.
Dr Hans Kluge, the regional director for Europe, said the pandemic will be a “marathon” and now is not the time to become complacent.
A senior minister has said the UK’s schools could re-open after the Easter holiday if the current lockdown measures are successful in flattening the curve.
Speaking to the Times, the unnamed senior minister claimed: "We need to be led by the science, of course.
“But if we can reopen schools after the Easter holidays things could begin to get back to normal. It could kick-start the economy.”
