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Families of medics who tragically lost their own lives to coronavirus after bravely trying to save others will receive a £60,000 life assurance payout, British government announced.

Matt Hancock, the Health and Social Care Secretary made the announcement as he fronted the daily Downing Street press conference to reveal that 82 NHS workers and 16 social care staff had died so far.

Hancock said: ‘I feel a deep personal sense of duty that we must care for their loved ones.

‘Today, I am able to announce that the Government is setting up a life assurance scheme for NHS and social care frontline colleagues.

‘Families of staff who die from coronavirus in the course of their essential frontline work will receive a £60,000 payment.

‘Of course, nothing replaces the loss of a loved one but we want to do everything we can to support families who are dealing with this grief.’

The move comes the day before the nation is expected to fall silent in tribute to key workers who have died in the pandemic.

Boris Johnson, who battled the illness himself, including a spell in intensive care, will observe the minute’s silence on Tuesday at 11am.

Government workers will be asked to take part and the Prime Minister’s official spokesman said it is hoped others will participate ‘nationwide’.

There are more than 150,000 confirmed coronavirus cases in the UK, with over 20,000 deaths from the virus as of April 27.