UK records the lowest coronavirus death rate this month

A total of 368 people have died in the UK on Sunday, which is the lowest number this month.

A further 336 people have died in hospitals across England on Sunday, bringing the total death toll in the country to 18,420.

Scotland recorded 18 more deaths with the total now standing at 1.249 with 10,324 people infected with coronavirus.

Wales reported 14 more deaths with the total standing at 788, health officials confirmed.

Dr Giri Shankar, from Public Health Wales said:, “Based on the new case numbers there is emerging evidence suggesting a levelling-off in the number of new cases of Covid-19 in Wales, which may be an indication of the effectiveness of lockdown measures.

“However, it is still too early to tell for sure, and it is too soon to end the current social distancing rules.

“Public Health Wales fully supports the First Minister’s announcement on revised stay-at-home regulations.

“The changes supplement the rules already in force, but they respond to some challenges being faced in parts of the country and by families throughout Wales.

“The message has not changed, anyone can get coronavirus, anyone can spread it.

“Stay home, protect the NHS, and save lives.”

Scientists at the University of Oxford who are working on a government-backed Rapid Testing Consortium have had a possible “breakthrough moment” in discovering immunity tests.

According to the Mail on Sunday, the government has reportedly bought 50m immunity tests, which shows if someone has had coronavirus.

Scientists from the consortium say up to 1m pinprick tests could be available by June, costing £10 each, and there could be up to 50m by 2021.

Professor Neil Ferguson from Imperial College, said if the government send the young and healthy back to work with the elderly and vulnerable to remain in lockdown, there will be a spike in deaths.

His warning comes after US scientists have used data to predict the number of British coronavirus cases will triple by the start of August.

When asked if social distancing rules could be relaxed for the less vulnerable workers, he warned over 100,000 deaths will happen by the end of the year.

British scientists have warned that case numbers must be in the hundreds and not the thousands before there can be any end to the lockdown.

The national medical director of NHS England, Professor Stephen Powis warned, “It won’t take much for this virus to start increasing its transmission again and to spread more widely.”