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Coronavirus: UK death toll rises to 422

Biggest daily increase so far as three-week nationwide lockdown begins

Peter Stubley
Tuesday 24 March 2020 17:00 GMT
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Boris Johnson announces nationwide lockdown to tackle coronavirus

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The UK death toll from coronavirus has risen by 87 in a day to a total of 422, according to the government.

There were also more than 1,400 new confirmed cases of Covid-19 as of 9am on Tuesday, bringing the total to 8,077.

A total of 90,436 people have been tested.

It marked the biggest daily increase in both deaths and cases in the UK so far — but experts believe we are still two or three weeks away from the peak of the outbreak.

The new deaths included 83 patients in England aged between 33 and 103. All were in vulnerable groups, including those with underlying health conditions.

Wales reported one new death and 60 new cases, Scotland recorded two more deaths and 85 new cases and Northern Ireland reported one more death.

The UK’s first coronavirus-related death was recorded on 5 March and it took another 13 days for the number of deaths to pass 100.

It has since continued to double every three days, passing 200 on 21 March and 400 on 24 March.

The new figures were released as the UK began its first full day under lockdown following the prime minister’s address to the nation on Monday night.

Boris Johnson said the public should stay at home unless they were buying necessary supplies, taking their once-daily exercise, providing care to others or travelling to essential work.

Gatherings of more than two people were banned unless they are living together or are meeting as part of their jobs.

Additional reporting by Press Association

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