Coronavirus / UK coronavirus death toll crosses 15,000 after 888 new deaths in 24 hours

London: The sobering figure is one of the biggest daily jumps as the country desperately tries to tackle the deadly bug that has killed killed 15,464.

In just 24 hours, 784 deaths in England were confirmed, including patients between 26 and 100-years-old, bringing the total to 13,918.

Among those who died after catching the disease was a 44-year-old with no underlying health conditions.

Scotland's death toll rose to 893 - rising by 56 - while Wales recorded 28 new deaths bringing their total to 534.

In Northern Ireland, the number of fatalities increased by 17 to 193.

Health authorities confirmed as of 5pm yesterday, 114,217 people had tested positive for the bug, up by 5,525 in one day across the UK.

Brits will remain in lockdown for another three weeks to slow the spread of coronavirus - with the UK government reportedly two weeks away from announcing how the country will emerge from the drastic measures.

And ministers have been accused of "treating the public like children" after refusing to discuss the exit strategy from lockdown.

Tory former party leader Sir Iain Duncan Smith told the Times: "The Government is going to have to accept and admit we are coming out of lockdown.

"We need to trust the British people and not treat them like children. We must respect their common sense. They need to know that the sun is rising at some point in an economic sense."

There has been growing pressure on the government to outline its plan, with economic paralysis wreaking havoc on jobs and businesses.

Coronavirus has particularly hit care homes, with fears the number of deaths in the facilities could be as high as 7,500.

The figures lie in stark contrast to official data from the Office for National Statistics, which so far indicates there were just 217 care home deaths registered up until April 3.

Meanwhile, all Brits have been urged to wear face masks by London Mayor Sadiq Khan yesterday - despite there not being enough for frontline carers.

His demand fuelled confusion and goes against global advice.

And a worldwide shortage of personal protective equipment means it would be almost impossible to supply the UK’s 66million population anyway.

Mr Khan also suggested people should rely on “non-medical” masks if social distancing is not possible.

He said that could include using bandanas or scarves. He was backed by fellow Labour mayor, Liverpool’s Steve Rotherham.

But the pair’s call risked a major backlash from unions, who warn that hospital staff are facing a daily battle to find the PPE they need.

World Health Organisation official guidance says people need only to wear masks if they have Covid-19 symptoms or are caring for someone who does.

And it adds: “WHO advises rational use of medical masks to avoid unnecessary wastage of precious resources.”