UK coronavirus death toll rises by 176 to 39,904

Tally edges closer to 40,000 mark

The UK’s coronavirus death toll has risen by 176 to 39,904, the latest figures show.

Some 1,805 new infections were uncovered in the 24 hours to 9am on Thursday, Grant Shapps said, with 220,057 tests carried out or posted out in that time.

Overall 281,661 people have tested positive for the virus.

There were 604 people in mechanical ventilator beds while being treated for Covid-19 yesterday, down from 783 on 27 May, Mr Shapps said at the daily Downing Street briefing.

The transport secretary also announced that face coverings will soon become mandatory on public transport in England. People could be fined if they do not wear one.

Mr Shapps’ press conference came as Boris Johnson held a global vaccine summit to seek donations to aid the hunt for an inoculation. The UK has pledged £1.65bn to the Gavi alliance over five years.

Also on Thursday, Downing Street failed to deny that the PM had told his Italian counterpart that he was pursuing herd immunity in the early stages of the UK’s coronavirus outbreak, as had been claimed in a documentary film.