2,350 patients who tested positive for coronavirus have died in the UK, marking a daily surge of more than 500 for the first time.

At the same time the number of confirmed cases rose to 29,474 in the country.

Nearly 153,000 have been until now tested for the pandemic, according the official figures.

The virus spread to the United Kingdom in January. Transmission within the UK was confirmed in February, leading to an epidemic with a rapid increase in cases in March.

The UK closed schools to most pupils, with children of key workers and vulnerable children still able to attend.

Restaurants, pubs, clubs and indoor sport and leisure facilities were ordered to close, though delivery and take-out chains were allowed to remain open.

On 23 March, the government announced that these measures were to be tightened further, with wide-ranging restrictions made on freedom of movement. (ILKHA)