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CORONAVIRUS fatalities in the UK have risen to 36,675 after 282 deaths were recorded in the past 24 hours.

The youngest victim was aged just 12, Government officials say.

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 More than 36,000 people have now died with Covid-19 around the UK
More than 36,000 people have now died with Covid-19 around the UKCredit: AFP and licensors
 The death rate is the lowest it's been on a Saturday since before the lockdown
The death rate is the lowest it's been on a Saturday since before the lockdown
 Some 257,507 people have now tested positive in the UK
1
Some 257,507 people have now tested positive in the UK

The refers to those who have died in all settings - including care homes, hospices and the wider community.

Those whose deaths were reported today in were aged between 12 and 100.

Seven of the 157 patients, who were aged between 57 and 88, had no known underlying health condition.

In Scotland, 16 further deaths were confirmed, taking the total to 2,261.

A further six people have died with Covid-19 in Wales, bringing the total to 1,260.

One person died in Ireland.

It's the lowest Saturday death toll since before the lockdown began in March.

Yesterday, Government officials confirmed another 351 people had died across the UK, while on Thursday, 338 more deaths were logged.

However, data suggests Britain's overall death toll from the virus is far higher than the total reported by the Government so far - and has already passed 45,000.

The number of cases are falling across the country, despite more people being tested for the killer bug.


It comes as:


The daily figures showing the number of deaths from Saturday to Monday tend to be lower than the rest of the week.

That's due to a lag in reporting the figures over the weekend.

On Saturday, May 16, the death toll in England was 181, while it was higher on the two previous Saturdays, hitting 207 and 370 respectively.

Brits began to return to work this week after Boris Johnson eased the lockdown.

Mr Johnson hopes a slow phased unlocking of Britain will allow the country to slip back into some sort of "new normal".

The Government still needs to fulfill the five requirements needed to end lockdown.

Official advice in England remains clear that Brits should work from home unless they are unable to do so.

The guidance in Northern Ireland, Scotland and Wales remains that people should stay at home.

However, ministers remain committed to starting to reopen primary schools in England from June 1 after it was revealed children are half as likely to contract the virus than adults are.

It was revealed last night that the crucial 'R' rate has stayed the same, two weeks after lockdown measures began to ease.

What is the R rate?

R0, or R nought, refers to the average number of people that one infected person can expect to pass the coronavirus on to.

Scientists use it to predict how far and how fast a disease will spread - and the number can also inform policy decisions about how to contain an outbreak.

For example, if a virus has an R0 of three, it means that every sick person will pass the disease on to three other people if no containment measures are introduced.

It's also worth pointing out that the R0 is a measure of how infectious a disease is, but not how deadly.

Sir Patrick Vallance, the chief scientific adviser, said it's "below one in every area of the UK but potentially quite close to one".

He added: "The epidemic is either flat or declining and in more areas it is declining."

As well as the R rate, Sir Patrick said another key figure to watch is the number of new infections, which is currently at around 61,000.

It means roughly one in every 1,000 people is getting infected each week.

Officials are cautiously optimistic this means easing the lockdown has been a success - and there are even plans for pubs to reopen this summer.

Punters would have to stay at least a metre apart.

And yesterday pub chain Wetherspoon revealed plans for reopening its 875 pubs with a reduced menu and temperature checks for staff.

There are even fresh hopes that Brits could enjoy a holiday this year after all.

Officials believe 'safe corridors' could be open by July - and France emerged as the most likely candidate to offer Britain its first foreign holiday deal this summer.

Spain, Portugal Greece and Australia could also soon follow — with all declaring that they will be ready to receive British tourists by July.
Ministers are hopeful of negotiating deals for safe air bridges and sea corridors with other countries with similarly low level of infections by the first review point, June 29.

Despite the prospect of increased freedom, many want to stay in lockdown - partly because they fear it's being lifted too quickly, and partly because they have more available cash.

The survey, conducted for the Daily Mail, asked Brits about their views on the coronavirus lockdown and how their lives have been changed by it.

 Eateries including McDonald's are opening more drive-throughs as lockdown begins to ease
Eateries including McDonald's are opening more drive-throughs as lockdown begins to easeCredit: Getty Images - Getty
 But officials have warned we could go back to the beginning of lockdown restrictions if Brits continue to pack beaches and parks
But officials have warned we could go back to the beginning of lockdown restrictions if Brits continue to pack beaches and parksCredit: London News Pictures
 Officials have announced a three-stage plan to take us out of lockdown
Officials have announced a three-stage plan to take us out of lockdown
Dr Hillary Jones warns against opening pubs two early, but says keeping 2 meters apart could keep punters safe

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