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The UK's coronavirus lockdown will be extended indefinitely, it was confirmed today.

Dominic Raab, who is deputising for Prime Minister Boris Johnson while he remains in intensive care, told media at Thursday's press briefing that it's too early to consider relaxing the rules that have seen Brits remaining indoors for almost three weeks.

"We are not done yet," he announced. "We must keep going."

The Government will not have enough information for more updates on the lockdown's length until the end of next week.

He thanked everyone "who has gone the extra mile" and followed the safety rules so far, and says the data indicates it's working so far.

Chief scientific adviser Sir Patrick Vallance said social distancing is breaking coronavirus transmission and we're beginning to see a "flattening off" in the number of new cases.

Mr Raab announced an extension to the social distancing measures put in place on March 23.

The Government said it would review the lockdown policy after three weeks, and did so at today's emergency Cobra meeting at 10 Downing Street.

Mr Raab stressed that the lockdown cannot be relaxed until the UK has the coronavirus outbreak "firmly under control".

"We mustn't give the coronavirus a second chance to kill more people and further hurt our country," he said.

Ahead of an Easter weekend that promises scorching temperatures and blazing sunshine, Brits have been urged to stay inside and not jeopardise the progress made by the lockdown so far.

Mr Raab apologised that no one will be able to enjoy the holiday outside, but said we all need to keep complying with public health guidance.

On Tuesday Mr Raab told the public not to get their hopes up about the lockdown ending any time soon.

"Our number one and overriding focus right now is on conveying the key message which is that everyone needs to keep adhering to this guidance.

(Image: Getty Images)

"There is a long Easter bank holiday weekend coming up, warm weather and we understand people are making big sacrifices to follow this guidance.

"It is helping, it is contributing to our ability to tackle the coronavirus.

"The worst thing now would be to take our foot off the pedal, to ease up on that and risk losing the gains that have been made.

"It is absolutely critical that people keep up that discipline and the vast majority will. We hope everyone will follow that example."

A total of 7,978 patients have died in hospital after testing positive for coronavirus in the UK as of 5pm on Wednesday, up by 881 from 7,097 the day before.