
The UK could be reaching the peak of its coronavirus epidemic, England’s chief medical officer has said.
Professor Chris Whitty told today's Downing Street press conference that the trend in new infections seemed to be "flattening out”, although deaths will remain high for “a little while longer”.
The number of Covid-19 patients who have died in UK hospitals increased by 761 over night – with the official death toll now standing at 12,868. The latest figures were released moments before Matt Hancock announced a new four-point social care plan.
The Health Secretary said all families should have a "right to say goodbye" to relatives succumbing to coronavirus, and the Government would introduce new measures to combat the spread of the disease in care homes.
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