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The UK's coronavirus death toll rose to 281, with the youngest to die aged just 18, as the number of people infected surged to 5,683.

All 37 people aged between 18 and 102 who were announced to have died in England after testing positive for coronavirus were in vulnerable groups including with underlying conditions, the NHS said.

They included five deaths at Frimley Health NHS Foundation Trust, four at St. Georges University Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust, and four at Croydon Health NHS Trust.

On Sunday, seven deaths were announced in Wales, while four were announced in Scotland and one in Northern Ireland.

The latest number of cases, announced by health officials, are the number of people who have tested positive for the virus since the outbreak began, as of 9am on Sunday.

At the same time on Saturday, 5,018 people were confirmed as testing positive for the virus.

It came as the Italian Premier Giuseppe Conte went on live TV to announce he was tightening the country’s lockdown and shutting down all production facilities except those providing essential goods and services.

“We are facing the most serious crisis that the country has experienced since the Second World War,” Mr Conte said during a broadcast at midnight.

He cautioned citizens to be calm and patient, insisting there was “no alternative” than to impose further restrictions.

Punters go for a drink before pubs and bars close to stop Coronavirus 11 show all Punters go for a drink before pubs and bars close to stop Coronavirus 1/11 People outside O'Neills pub, in Clapham, London PA 2/11 A man wearing a protective face mask sits in a pub, on the day Prime Minister Boris Johnson ordered all pubs to close in response to the number of the coronavirus disease cases REUTERS 3/11 Lot of people went to the pub, despite Boris Johnson asking the nation not to be tempted to have one last drink REUTERS 4/11 People at a Cardiff nightclub after Boris Johnson announced that all pubs, restaurants and gyms were to close Matthew Horwood 5/11 Boris Johnson, is seen on a television screen in a pub in London as the spread of the coronavirus disease continues REUTERS 6/11 A man drinks in the BrewDog pub in the Cowgate Getty Images 7/11 Staff wear face masks at Mussel & Steak restaurant in Edinburgh Getty Images 8/11 The Bricklayer's Arms pub in West Putney displays a sign warning customers it has closed 2020 Getty Images 9/11 People are seen drinking inside a pub in London Getty Images 10/11 The Alexandra pub in Worthing, after Prime Minister Boris Johnson ordered pubs and restaurants across the country to close tonight PA 11/11 Pub goers enjoy a final evening of drinking in a J.D. Weatherspoon's in London Getty Images 1/11 People outside O'Neills pub, in Clapham, London PA 2/11 A man wearing a protective face mask sits in a pub, on the day Prime Minister Boris Johnson ordered all pubs to close in response to the number of the coronavirus disease cases REUTERS 3/11 Lot of people went to the pub, despite Boris Johnson asking the nation not to be tempted to have one last drink REUTERS 4/11 People at a Cardiff nightclub after Boris Johnson announced that all pubs, restaurants and gyms were to close Matthew Horwood 5/11 Boris Johnson, is seen on a television screen in a pub in London as the spread of the coronavirus disease continues REUTERS 6/11 A man drinks in the BrewDog pub in the Cowgate Getty Images 7/11 Staff wear face masks at Mussel & Steak restaurant in Edinburgh Getty Images 8/11 The Bricklayer's Arms pub in West Putney displays a sign warning customers it has closed 2020 Getty Images 9/11 People are seen drinking inside a pub in London Getty Images 10/11 The Alexandra pub in Worthing, after Prime Minister Boris Johnson ordered pubs and restaurants across the country to close tonight PA 11/11 Pub goers enjoy a final evening of drinking in a J.D. Weatherspoon's in London Getty Images

Scientists have argued avoiding even one infection means scores more are prevented down the line.

During his weekly Sunday blessing, Pope Francis urged all Christians to join in reciting the Our Father prayer next Wednesday at noon.

“To the virus pandemic, we want to respond with the universality of prayer, of compassion, of tenderness,” the pope said.

Francis, who began streaming his audiences earlier this month due to virus concerns, said he would also lead a global blessing to an empty St Peter’s Square on Friday.

The Urbi et Orbi, blessing, normally reserved for Christmas Day and Easter, will be broadcast to the faithful.