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Manchester Evening News
Manchester Evening News
National
Zara Whelan

RECAP Matt Hancock leads Easter Sunday UK daily coronavirus press conference

Matt Hancock held Easter Sunday's UK government coronavirus press briefing.

The health secretary was joined by Dr Yvonne Doyle, medical director and director of health protection for Public Health England to deliver updates on the virus and how it is impacting Britain.

It comes as a  total of 10,612 patients have died in hospital after testing positive for coronavirus in the UK as of 5pm on Saturday, up by 737 from 9,875 the day before.

Saturday's Downing Street briefing was led by home secretary Priti Patel, in her first appearance since the start of the outbreak.

She took the podium alongside Martin Hewitt, Chair of the National Police Chiefs’ Council and Steve Powis, NHS England Medical Director.

A government public awareness campaign was announced to ensure domestic abuse victims know there is help on offer.

The move came after it was revealed there has been a 120% increase in calls to the National Domestic Abuse hotline over a 24 hour period since the coronavirus lockdown came into force.

Mr Hewitt revealed there has been a 21% decrease in the overall level of crime in the last four weeks compared to the same period last year. However there have been 1,084 fines for breaches of coronavirus regulations as of Thursday, - less than 84 per day.

He said that this means "the majority are staying at home and helping save lives."

Once again, there has been no suggestion of when the current restrictions may be lifted, with Prof Powis saying that scientific research has progressed very quickly but stressed the UK is “still in round one” of the fight against coronavirus.

Drop a heart on our special map of gratitude to show your support for our NHS heroes https://www.thanksamillionnhs.co.uk/

You can read all the updates from today's conference as they happen below

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