Coronavirus cases in UK soar by nearly 4,000 as death toll rises by 20

Nearly 4,000 people have tested positive for coronavirus in the UK in the last 24 hours, the Government has said.

As of 9am on Wednesday, there had been a further 3,991 lab-confirmed cases of coronavirus in the UK. Overall, 378,219 cases have been confirmed.

It also said a further 20 people had died within 28 days of testing positive for Covid-19 as of Wednesday. This brings the UK total to 41,684.

It comes after Boris Johnson told the Liasion Committee on Wednesday afternoon that the UK has "massively increased" its testing capacity.

“Actually, and I know that many people have had infuriating experiences, and I do sympathise with them," said Mr Johnson.

“And we are trying to get as many tests out as we possibly can. But 89 per cent get their results within 24 hours, if you have an in person test.

“And the distance that you have to travel to get a test has come down just in the last week. On average from about six or seven miles to about five miles.

“We are putting out many, many more tests.”

More follows…

Read more

London 'could see curfews' to as schools hit by testing 'chaos'- LIVE