Stay up to date with notifications from The Independent

Notifications can be managed in browser preferences.

Coronavirus UK death toll rises to 1,808 after 393 die in record daily surge

Fatalities include 19-year-old with no underlying health conditions

Peter Stubley
Tuesday 31 March 2020 15:58 BST
Comments
Professor: Early signs show spread of coronavirus slowing in the UK

Your support helps us to tell the story

From reproductive rights to climate change to Big Tech, The Independent is on the ground when the story is developing. Whether it's investigating the financials of Elon Musk's pro-Trump PAC or producing our latest documentary, 'The A Word', which shines a light on the American women fighting for reproductive rights, we know how important it is to parse out the facts from the messaging.

At such a critical moment in US history, we need reporters on the ground. Your donation allows us to keep sending journalists to speak to both sides of the story.

The Independent is trusted by Americans across the entire political spectrum. And unlike many other quality news outlets, we choose not to lock Americans out of our reporting and analysis with paywalls. We believe quality journalism should be available to everyone, paid for by those who can afford it.

Your support makes all the difference.

A further 393 people who tested positive for coronavirus have died, bringing the total number of deaths reported in the UK to 1,808.

In England, NHS Trusts recorded the deaths of 367 patients, including a 19-year-old with no underlying health conditions.

Another seven new deaths were reported in Wales, with a further 13 in Scotland and six in Northern Ireland.

Earlier Boris Johnson told the cabinet ”the situation is going to get worse before it gets better – but it will get better” during a meeting by videolink.

A Downing Street spokesman said: “The PM said the rising death toll in recent days showed the vital importance of the public continuing to stick to the social distancing guidance which has been put in place by the government, based on scientific and medical advice.”

The Department of Health and Social Care said the total of deaths reported as of 5pm on Monday was 1,789, which does not take into account more recent deaths reported by the four regions.

A total of 25,150 people have tested positive for Covid-19 across the UK, with the total number of tests rising by more than 8,000 in a day to 143,186.

Concerns have been raised over the true number of deaths as the figures do not include deaths outside of hospitals, such as at patients’ homes or in care homes.

The Office for National Statistics revealed that 210 registered deaths that occurred in England and Wales up to and including 20 March had Covid-19 mentioned on the death certificate.

This compares with 170 coronavirus-related deaths reported by NHS England and Public Health Wales by that time.

The difference is due to methods of counting and reporting, the ONS explained.

A total of around 40,000 deaths have been reported worldwide, with more than 800,000 confirmed cases of Covid-19.

Join our commenting forum

Join thought-provoking conversations, follow other Independent readers and see their replies

Comments

Thank you for registering

Please refresh the page or navigate to another page on the site to be automatically logged inPlease refresh your browser to be logged in