Coronavirus LIVE: UK deaths reach 40,542 as Secondary schools could stay closed until 2021

THE UK’s coronavirus death toll has passed more than 40,000.

Reaching the grim total of 40,542 today, the UK is only the second country - after the US with 112,269 deaths - to pass the milestone. The global coronavirus death toll currently stands at over 400,000.

In March, the UK's chief scientific adviser said a total of 20,000 Covid-19 deaths would be a “good outcome”.

It comes amid reports Secondary schools in the UK could now stay closed until January 2021 wreaking havoc for A Level and GCSE students.
Teaching unions confirmed Government guidance to secondary schools on social distancing will mean thousands of pupils could return part-time, meaning a full return to the classroom could be as late as January.

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