UK coronavirus death toll rises to 3,605 after jumping by 684 in 24 hours
Record daily rise in fatalities announced for fourth consecutive day
A further 684 people in UK hospitals have died of coronavirus in 24 hours, bringing the country's death toll to 3,605.
The new figure, which covers from 5pm on Wednesday to 5pm on Thursday, is again a record daily rise in fatalities, in line with an upward trend.
As of 9am on Friday, a total of 173,784 people had been tested for the virus, of whom 38,168 had were positive, Department of Health officials said.
The new increase came on the day the new Nightingale hospital in east London, which will take up to 4,000 patients, was opened by Prince Charles via a video link.
It will be staffed by NHS workers with help from the military.
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