A total of 72 people have died after contracting coronavirus, with 1,950 confirmed cases.

London is the worst-affected part of the country, and Sky News analysis shows 25 deaths have been in the capital. Ten deaths have also been recorded in the West Midlands.

On Tuesday, the number of fatalities in England increased by 14. NHS England said those who died were aged between 45 and 93 and all had underlying health conditions.

As of 9am on Tuesday morning, the number of confirmed coronavirus cases in the UK had risen by 407 over a 24-hour period.

An estimated 621 cases are in London, representing 32% of cases nationwide.


The latest figures come after the government ramped up measures against the coronavirus pandemic following new predictions that the UK could otherwise have seen 250,000 deaths.

A new document published by the COVID-19 team at London's Imperial College - which is advising the government on its coronavirus response - warns the current public health threat is the "most serious" from a respiratory virus since the Spanish Flu in 1918.

Transport for London to reduce service - Khan

They advised the UK adopts a strategy of "epidemic suppression" - for a period of potentially 18 months or more - rather than "mitigation".

Modelling of the "most effective" mitigation strategy examined had revealed that NHS capacities could be exceeded by at least eightfold - and about 250,000 people could die.

Why did the government change its stance?

The Imperial team described the suppression of the coronavirus outbreak as "the only viable strategy at the current time" - even if the "social and economic effects of the measures which are needed to achieve this policy goal will be profound".

On Monday, Prime Minister Boris Johnson announced a significant escalation of UK measures in response to coronavirus, including advising everyone in the country to avoid pubs, clubs, restaurants and theatres and to only make essential journeys.

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What is the latest coronavirus advice?

If you live alone and have a high temperature or a new and continuous cough, you should self-isolate for seven days

If you live in a household with others and have a high temperature or a new and continuous cough, both yourself and all others in your household should stay isolated together for 14 days

Everyone, including if you are not displaying symptoms yourself and live in a household where no one is displaying symptoms, should stop all unnecessary contact with others and all unnecessary travel

You should work from home where possible and avoid venues such as pubs, clubs, theatres and restaurants

Pay particular attention to the advice if you are over 70, pregnant, have underlying health problems or live in London

Don't call the NHS 111 helpline if you have mild or moderate illness and instead seek advice online. But do call if your illness becomes more severe.

London landmarks deserted amid outbreak

Britons have been advised to avoid all non-essential foreign travel for 30 days as the coronavirus pandemic continues.

Foreign Secretary Dominic Raab said the "fast-changing international circumstances" of the worldwide outbreak of COVID-19 required changes to the official travel advice.

"The FCO [Foreign and Commonwealth Office] will always consider the safety and the security of British nationals, so with immediate effect I've taken the decision to advise British nationals against non-essential travel globally for an initial period of 30 days and of course subject to ongoing review," he told MPs in the Commons.

The number of confirmed coronavirus cases worldwide now stands at more than 185,000 and there are more than 7,300 deaths.