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Ten public transport workers have died after testing positive for coronavirus.

London mayor Sadiq Khan said they had all died in the last few days.

Eight were bus workers, one working for Transport for London and another working for London Underground.

It is understood five bus workers were from the London network.

The mayor said he was “absolutely devastated” and urged all Londoners to only use public transport if absolutely essential.

He said: "They are in my thoughts and prayers, and my condolences to their families.

"It reminds us actually, one of the heroic frontline workers are transport workers.

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(Image: Getty Images)

"We've got 25,000 bus drivers, more than 25,000 people who work for Transport for London, doing their best to keep public transport running for those essential key workers that need public transport to get from home to work and back home again.

"The NHS, those who work in our shops in the food sector, police officers, firefighters."

UK coronavirus deaths are set to top 5,000, with the confirmed toll at 4,934 after 621 confirmed fatalities on Sunday April 5.

Unite regional secretary Peter Kavanagh said: “Unite will assist the families of our members in every possible way during this terrible time.

“Unite has been working continuously with Transport for London and the operators to ensure the safety of drivers and others in the industry who are performing a heroic job in getting NHS and care workers to their places of work.

(Image: Hannah Forsyth/Twitter) (Image: Hannah Forsyth/Twitter)

“These measures include deep cleaning of buses, additional cleaning of touch points, the sealing of screens around the driver, the provision of hand sanitiser for all and placing the passenger seating closest to the driver out of bounds.

“I have been in direct contact with the Mayor of London who shares our view that bus drivers must be fully protected.

“My officers are holding daily meetings with TfL, exploring further safety improvements and we are absolutely committed to doing everything in our power to make the driving of buses safe during this unprecedented crisis.

The Aslef transport union is also demanding that London Underground drivers are provided with masks and gloves to help protect them from contracting Covid-19.

They say members working on the Tube are risking their own safety to provide a service for essential workers.

Aslef official Finn Brennan said: "Every day brings fresh news of friends, family members and colleagues being struck down by this terrible virus.

"Unlike politicians and managers, frontline transport staff can not work from home. Everything possible must be done to protect their safety.

"Tube drivers and other TfL staff are risking their own health and that of their families by leaving home to provide transport for vital staff.

"By refusing to close non-essential workplaces, the Government is endangering their safety and that of other key workers who rely on public transport."