Michael Gove has confirmed that seven front-line healthcare workers have died. The Cabinet minister was speaking during the government's daily press briefing at Downing Street.
He made the announcement at the start of his speech as he paid tribute to those who had lost their lives fighting the coronavirus pandemic.
Mr Gove said: "We need to think of those on the front line, and the sacrifices that they’re making for us. "They died while doing everything they could to help the sick and suffering. "We can all best honour them by playing our part in fighting the disease by staying at home and slowing the spread." He made particular reference to two NHS nurses, both in their 30s, who died this week.