Coronavirus: UK deaths rise to 35 and total confirmed cases soars to 1,372
15 March 2020, 15:58 | Updated: 15 March 2020, 23:54
The total number of UK deaths has risen by 14 to 35 and the new tally of confirmed infections has soared to 1,372, the Department of Health has announced.
As of 9am on Sunday morning, a total of 40,279 people had been tested for coronavirus with 38,907 coming back negative.
This sees an increase of 232 confirmed Covid-19 cases since Saturday's announcement, at which point the total stood at 1,140.
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Sunday's rise in the number of deaths once again represents the largest jump in a single 24-hour window.
A total of 34 people have now died from the virus in England, while there has been one death in Scotland.
On Saturday, there were 10 more deaths in the UK, which took yesterday's total to 21.
UPDATE on coronavirus (#COVID19) testing in the UK:
— Department of Health and Social Care (@DHSCgovuk) March 15, 2020
As of 9am on 15 March, a total of 40,279 have been tested:
38,907 negative
1,372 positive
Across the UK, 35 patients who tested positive for coronavirus (COVID-19) have sadly died. pic.twitter.com/ElnkxRnbJC
It comes as Bristol Royal Infirmary confirmed that a man in his late-50s who had tested positive for Covid-19 died.
The man had underlying health conditions alongside contracting the novel coronavirus and his family have been informed.
Read more: How will Covid-19 affect your travel and holiday plans?
On Sunday afternoon, the interim chief executive of Barking, Havering and Redbridge University Hospitals NHS Trust confirmed a patient at Queen's hospital who tested positive for coronavirus "sadly died."
The patient was a 72-year-old woman who had underlying health conditions.
On Sunday, Health Secretary Matt Hancock confirmed that all people over 70 will be urged to self-isolate for up to four months to protect themselves from the disease.
He also announced the government's plan to give police the power to arrest coronavirus carriers who refuse to self-isolate.
NHS England said the patients whose deaths were announced on Sunday were aged between 59 and 94.
They were being cared for at the following:
- Havering and Redbridge University Hospitals NHS Trust
- Epsom and St Helier University Hospitals NHS Trust
- George Eliot Hospital NHS Trust
- Guy's and St Thomas' NHS Foundation Trust
- Manchester University NHS Foundation Trust
- Mid Essex Hospital Service NHS Trust
- Nottingham University Hospitals NHS Trust
- North Manchester General Hospital
- The Royal Wolverhampton NHS Trust
- Tameside and Glossop Integrated Care NHS Foundation Trust
- Dudley Group NHS Foundation Trust
- University Hospitals Bristol NHS Foundation Trust
All the patients had underlying health conditions and their families have been informed. The Trusts offered their thoughts and condolences to those who died and have asked people to respect the privacy of the families.
