Coronavirus: UK deaths of hospital patients with COVID-19 rise by 586
From Wednesday, the government's daily figures on coronavirus deaths will include those in care homes and in the community.
Tuesday 28 April 2020 23:20, UK
Another 586 people have died in UK hospitals after contracting coronavirus - bringing the total to 21,678.
Health Secretary Matt Hancock announced the new figures at the government's daily briefing on the pandemic.
It had earlier been revealed that another 512 coronavirus patients had died in England's hospitals and 70 more in Scotland's, taking the nations' totals to 19,301 and 1,332 respectively.
And 17 more people with COVID-19 have passed away in Wales - leaving the total at 813.
The number of confirmed coronavirus deaths in Northern Ireland has risen to 329 after 20 more people died.
Mr Hancock also announced that, from Wednesday, the government's daily figures on coronavirus deaths would include those in care homes and in the community.
The Office for National Statistics said 4,343 deaths in care homes involving coronavirus were reported by care home providers in England between 10 and 24 April.
It comes as the ONS also calculated the total number of deaths involving COVID-19 in England up to 17 April (and which were registered up to 25 April) was 39% higher than the equivalent NHS total.
It found 21,284 people died with the virus over that period, compared to the figure of 15,293 of hospital patient deaths in England for the same period, reported by NHS England.
Meanwhile, Scottish First Minister Nicola Sturgeon has advised people from now on to wear non-medical face coverings in places where they can't easily be two metres away from other people - such as in shops and on public transport.
The UK government has avoided making the same recommendation so far but says the policy is being kept under review by its scientific advisers.
Prime Minister Boris Johnson took part in a minute's silence for key workers who have died during the pandemic, promising: "The national will not forget you."
Across the country, healthcare staff, some in tears, bowed their heads as they remembered their colleagues, followed in some instances by applause.
The lockdown is expected to last until at least Thursday 7 May, when Mr Johnson and the leaders of the devolved administrations in Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland will likely meet to review whether to extend or ease the strict social distancing measures.