UK coronavirus hospital deaths up 11 in lowest Wednesday rise during lockdown

A further 11 people have died of the coronavirus in UK hospitals, bringing the death toll to 33,809.

In English hospitals ten people’s deaths were added to the toll, with one in Wales and one in Scotland.

Northern Ireland has yet to report its figures.

Last Wednesday 24 people died of Covid-19 in UK hospitals.

That was just over half the figure for the Wednesday before that, showing a downward trend in the numbers of deaths from the bug in clinical settings.

Yesterday the hospital death toll rose by the lowest amount on a Tuesday since lockdown began in March.

A further 15 deaths were added to the grim toll, which was 13 fewer deaths than last Tuesday.

The daily deaths continue to fall ahead of legislation making the wearing of face coverings mandatory in English shops coming into force.

From Friday all but those with specific exemption will be required to cover their nose and mouth when shopping.

The government said population-wide use of masks could help keep the Covid-19 reproduction number (R rate) below one.

Official guidance also states: “If you are infected but have not yet developed symptoms, it may provide some protection for others you come into close contact with.”

Enforcement will be carried out by police – not retail staff, and rules will be the same as those currently applicable on public transport in England.

This means children under 11 and people with certain disabilities will be exempt.

Announcing the move, a Number 10 spokesperson said: “There is growing evidence that wearing a face covering in an enclosed space helps protect individuals and those around them from  coronavirus.

“The prime minister has been clear that people should be wearing face coverings in shops and we will make this mandatory from July 24.”

Click here to find out more about the legislation change.