UK coronavirus death toll up to 465 – but rise of 43 has halved in a day

THE UK coronavirus death toll today rose to 465 after 43 more deaths in the last 24 hours.

Among the latest deaths is a 47-year-old with no underlying health conditions.

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There were 28 deaths in England - meaning 414 have died in the country in total.

Northern Ireland tonight confirmed their death toll had risen from four to seven in the past 24 hours - bringing the total in the UK to 465.

In Scotland, deaths rose by six to 22 and in Wales five people died , taking the number of fatalities to 22.

Yesterday, 87 more deaths were recorded in just 24 hours across the UK in the biggest leap yet.

The UK death toll has halved since yesterday - but tonight did see the biggest increase in the number of infections across the UK - up 1,542 to 9,529.

There are now fears that half of the UK population may have already contracted the virus. as only hospital patients are now being routinely screened.

London remains the worst-hit area with around 3,000 cases - with around one in three positive tests coming in the English capital.

It comes as:

• Prince Charles was confirmed to have tested positive for coronavirus
• An army of 405,000 Brits has volunteered to help the NHS
• British diplomat Stephen Dick, 37, has died in Hungary after catching the virus
• A 21-year-old woman became the youngest with no underlying health problems to die in the UK

As of tonight, there are 7,973 confirmed cases in England, 719 in Scotland, 628 in Wales and 209 in Northern Ireland.

Earlier today, Boris Johnson announced more than 400,000 Brits have registered as volunteers to help the NHS in the fight against COVID-19.

The Prime Minister, speaking at his daily press conference from Number 10, said he wanted to offer a "special thank you to everyone who has now volunteered to help."

London's ExCeL centre will also be converted into a new NHS hospital and 11,788 recently retired NHS staff will to the front line to help tackle coronavirus.

Chief Medical Officer Chris Whitty told the press conference testing kits which will allow people to find out if they have had the virus will become available in the coming days.

However, he added the tests would need to be vetted by top medics first adding "it is better to have no test than a bad test".

Earlier today, Clarence House confirmed Prince Charles had tested positive for coronavirus.

Confirming the news today, Clarence House said: "The Prince of Wales has tested positive for Coronavirus.

"He has been displaying mild symptoms but otherwise remains in good health and has been working from home throughout the last few days as usual."

Another six members of staff now isolating with them.

Meanwhile, a 21-year-old woman is believed to have become the UK's youngest victim of the virus with no underlying health conditions.

Chloe Middleton, from High Wycombe, Buckinghamshire, passed away yesterday and her family have urged Brits to take self-isolation measures seriously in the wake of the tragedy.

Mum Diane Middleton wrote on Facebook: “To all the people out there who think it's just a virus please think again.

“Speaking from a personal experience this so-called virus has taken the life of my 21-year-old daughter.”

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On Sunday it was announced an 18-year-old boy had died after testing positive for coronavirus in Coventry, West Midlands.

But doctors said he had “significant underlying health issues” and that Covid-19 was not linked to his cause of death.

The pandemic has claimed the lives of more than now stands at more than 20,000 with Italy suffering 7,503 fatalities.

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