The number of Covid-19 patients to die in the UK has risen by 351 to 36,393. Earlier today Scottish First Minister Nicola Sturgeon confirmed 24 new Covid-19 deaths in Scotland.
It brings the Scottish death toll to 2,245, while in Wales 1,254 people have died in hospital. Yesterday the total number of lives lost to the killer virus stood at 36,042, while the number of confirmed cases passed 25,000.
The tragic figure was released at the government grapples with controversial plans to partially reopen primary schools from June 1.
The proposed move has sparked a backlash from teachers, unions and parents, and today Public Health England medical director Yvonne Doyle said schools should decide for themselves if it is safe to reopen.