THE UK coronavirus death toll has risen by 888 overnight, bringing the total to 15,464.

Speaking at the daily press briefing, UK minister Robert Jenrick said: "Today's data shows that 460,437 tests for coronavirus have now been carried out across Great Britain, including 21,389 tests carried out yesterday.

"114,217 people have tested positive. That's an increase of 5,526 cases since yesterday.

"17,759 people are currently in hospital with coronavirus in Great Britain, down from 18,711 yesterday.

"And sadly, of those hospitalised with a virus, 15,464 have now died.

"That's an increase of 888 fatalities since yesterday.

"These are heartbreaking losses for every family affected."

Jenrick said there are 10,606 ventilators in the NHS, of which 190 have come from new UK suppliers "who rose to the challenge that the PM set to British industry".

He also revealed "a very large consignment" of PPE - including 400,000 gowns - is due to arrive in the UK from Turkey on Sunday.

He said: "Today I can report that a very large consignment of PPE is due to arrive in the UK tomorrow from Turkey, which amounts to 84 tonnes of PPE and will include for example, 400,000 gowns - so a very significant additional shipment.

"But demand is also very high. We are working with British manufacturers to ensure that they can make a contribution, and you've heard of some of the more prominent ones like Burberry and Barbour but there are many SMEs as well being involved in that, and my department is also involved in trying to ensure that the supplies that we have get out, not just to the NHS, critical though that is, but also to social care, often to smaller establishments like care homes, all across the country.

"There's over 50,000 healthcare settings like that in the country, and we're using local resilience forums, backed by almost 200 military planners to do the logistical task of taking the stocks that we do have, and getting them to the front line, but I completely accept that this is extremely challenging.

"Supply in some areas, particularly gowns and certain types of masks and aprons, is in short supply at the moment, and that must be an extremely anxious time for people working on the front line, but they should be assured that we are doing everything we can to correct this issue, and to get them the equipment that they need."

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