Ten more patients who contracted coronavirus have died, bringing the death toll in the UK to 21.
The number of people who have tested positive for the virus has also risen to 1,140, an increase of 342 in a single day.
The new figures are by far the largest increase announced on a single day since the outbreak took hold. On Friday, the number of positive cases was 798 and there was a death toll of 11.
All of the patients who died were aged over 60 and had underlying health conditions, chief medical officer for England Professor Chris Whitty said.
He said: “I understand this increase in the number of deaths linked to Covid-19 will be a cause for concern for many.
The newspaper said the woman was tested at North Middlesex Hospital but the result was not known until after the birth.
Other developments in the spread of Covid-19 include:
- WHO said Europe has become the epicentre of the pandemic and Donald Trump indicated he might add the UK to a list of countries facing a US travel ban
- Jet2 planes from the UK to Spain turned back in mid-air as the airline announced it was cancelling all flights to the country
- The largest education union in Europe has written to the Prime Minister asking for full disclosure over his decision not to shut schools amid the coronavirus pandemic.
- The number of confirmed coronavirus cases in Wales rose by 22, bringing the total to 60
- Apple said it was closing all its stores outside China
Meanwhile, the UK’s approach to developing “herd immunity” against Covid-19 has been called into question by the World Health Organisation (WHO).
Spokeswoman Margaret Harris said not enough is known about the science of the coronavirus, and that while “theories” can be talked about, the current situation requires “action”.
On Friday, the UK’s chief scientific adviser Sir Patrick Vallance said it is hoped the Government’s approach to tackling coronavirus will create a “herd immunity” to the disease.
Plans are also under way to ban mass gatherings from next week as the Government looks to implement more extreme measures in the fight against Covid-19.
Boris Johnson had faced criticism for not taking such actions, despite similar steps being taken by other European countries as the pandemic worsens.
Emergency legislation bringing in beefed-up powers will be published next week and there could also be a move towards more people working from home, a Whitehall source said.
