Coronavirus news you might have missed overnight: 13-year-old boy dies after testing positive, as new UK-built ventilators to be rolled across NHS next week

True number of deaths across UK higher than reported, new statistics reveal

The coronavirus pandemic continues to grip the UK and much of the world, with record daily death tolls announced in several countries across Europe on Tuesday.

Here’s your morning briefing of everything you may have missed overnight.

Boy, 13, ‘dies alone’ in UK hospital after testing positive

The death of a 13-year-old boy, who died in hospital after testing positive for coronavirus, was announced on Tuesday.

Ismail Mohamed Abdulwahab, from Brixton, in south London, is thought to be the UK’s youngest victim of the pandemic.

The teenager, who had no known underlying health problems, was admitted to King’s College Hospital in London and put on a ventilator after having difficulties breathing.

But he sadly died in the early hours of Monday without any family members by his side because of the risk of infection, according to a statement from the college where his sister works.

The death of a 12-year-old girl, believed to be the youngest victim of Covid-19 in Europe, was also announced in Belgium.

Total UK deaths higher than figures released daily by government, new stats reveal

It emerged the true number of deaths across the UK from coronavirus is higher than previously reported, following the release of statistics for the number of people who have died outside of hospital with Covid-19.

Figures released by the Office for National Statistics (ONS) showed 210 deaths involving Covid-19 had occurred in England and Wales by 20 March, up from the 170 deaths reported by the government at the time – an increase of more than 20 per cent.

Statistics released by the government had previously shown the number of deaths in hospitals related to the virus but did not include deaths in the wider community, such as care homes.

New UK-built ventilators to be available for NHS from next week, government announces

Michael Gove announced new UK-built ventilators to treat coronavirus patients will be available for use in the NHS from next week.

Speaking at the daily Downing Street press conference on Tuesday, the cabinet office minister said the first of thousands of new machines will be rolled out on to the front line within days to cope with the spread of the virus.

There are about 8,000 ventilators deployed in the NHS currently but Mr Gove acknowledged many more would be needed ahead of the expected peak of the outbreak in April.

Police told to arrest and fine public for breaking lockdown rules as ‘last resort’

Police leaders told regional forces to arrest and fine people for breaking the coronavirus lockdown as a “last resort” following a backlash over some tactics.

The National Police Chiefs Council (NPCC) said officers should first “engage, explain and encourage” people to follow the new public health regulations, and “only as a last resort, enforce”.

It has drawn up guidance with the College of Policing that has been distributed to all forces in England and Wales.

Grant Shapps, the transport secretary, suggested some forces had gone “too far” on Tuesday.