The number of confirmed cases of coronavirus in the UK has soared by 676.
The Department of Health has just released new figures and said that a total of 2,626 people have now tested positive for the virus in the UK.
This is a rise of nearly 700 in just 24 hours.
In reality, the figure of people currently carrying the virus in the country is thought to be much larger, with experts predicting at least 50,000 people could be infected across the country.
A tweet from the Department of Health this afternoon said: "UPDATE on #COVID19 testing in the UK: As of 9am 18 March 2020, a total of 56,221 people have been tested: 53,595 negative 2,626 positive.
"The latest confirmed number of deaths will be announced later today."
Yesterday the total number of deaths from coronavirus in the UK stood at 71, and that figure is expected to rise when a further announcement is made later on today.
Today Boris Johnson told the House of Commons that his government would be ramping up the testing programme for the disease - from around 10,000 a day to 25,000 a day.
He also told Parliament that the UK is now close to creating a publicly available test for all.
Mass testing has been a major factor in countries like South Korea stemming the spread of the virus.
Mr Johnson is expected to speak to the nation once again today at around 5pm.
He will be expected to deliver an announcement on whether schools in England will be closed after the devolved governments of Scotland and Wales said schools in those countries would shut indefinitely from Friday.
