Another 765 patients have died in England after contracting coronavirus – bringing the total to 7,248.
The figures have been released by NHS England.
They clarified that 140 of those deaths took place on Wednesday, while 568 happened within the previous week and the remaining 57 were from March.
In Scotland, the number of people with coronavirus who have died rose by 81 on Thursday taking the total to 447, First Minister Nicola Sturgeon said.
Wales has reported another 41 deaths, taking the total there to 286.
And in Northern Ireland a further four people have died, meaning the total rises to 82.
It comes as senior politicians from across the UK prepare to gather for a virtual COBRA meeting, chaired by stand-in prime minister Dominic Raab while Boris Johnson spends his fourth day in intensive care.
Earlier, Culture Secretary Oliver Dowden told Sky News the meeting would “determine the process” for how the COVID-19 lockdown extension decision will be made.
When the emergency measures came into force the government vowed they would be reviewed in three weeks; that point is Easter Monday.
The Coronavirus Act rushed through parliament last month states that the government has until next Thursday to review the lockdown.
here are fears people may not heed the “stay at home” advice this Easter weekend, when there is predicted to be good weather.
Wales has already admitted it will extend the lockdown, First Minister Mark Drakeford saying on Wednesday: “We will not throw away the gains we have made and the lives we can save by abandoning our efforts just as they begin to bear fruit.”
Ms Sturgeon has hinted heavily the same will happen in Scotland, telling Sky News on Thursday she agreed with the move and adding:”I don’t think there is any possibility, any likelihood of these lockdown measures being lifted immediately or even imminently.”
SKYNEWS
