UK total coronavirus death toll hits 1,415

The UK death toll has risen by 180 on Monday, bringing the total to 1,415 with more than 20,000 people across the UK now confirmed to have coronavirus.

The Department of Health said on Monday, “As of 9am 30 March, a total of 134,946 have been tested, with112,805 negative. There are now 22,141 people confirmed with coronavirus across the UK.

Wales recorded 14 more deaths, with the total now being 62, Scotland recorded six more deaths bringing the total to 47.

Northern Ireland reported one death with the total now standing at 22.

Public Health Wales said in 24 hours they now have 210 confirmed cases with a total of 1,451.

The UK’s top scientist has warned the UK is facing disaster as the death toll is far higher than previously expected.

Professor Tom Pike from the Imperial College in London previously predicted in his scientific paper that 5,700 people will die from coronavirus.

But he has now warned this prediction was greatly underestimated as the death rate soared over the weekend, and Pike has now warned the UK is now in a “dangerous state.”

The calculations were originally based on the assumption the UK would follow the trend seen in Wuhan, China, but the UK is now on a deadlier path.

England’s Deputy Chief Medical Officer Dr Jenny Harries warned on Sunday, the death toll in the UK will get progressively “worse” over the next two weeks.

The NHS has started “ventilator rationing” across the UK with patients who only have a “reasonable certainty” of surviving coronavirus.

Ventilator machines which are used to keep patients breathing are now restricted to those who will survive on medical grounds.

The NHS said, “very poorly patients with coronavirus may need to be on a ventilator for extended periods.

“for some patients this would not be in their best interests.”