THE UK has become the fifth country to record over 10,000 coronavirus deaths, joining the USA, France, Spain and Italy.
The government stands before the media once again to provide the latest developments on Covid-19 in their bid to prevent as many deaths as possible.
⚠️ Read our coronavirus live blog for the latest news & updates
What time is the coronavirus daily update?
Today's press conference began at around 5pm.
During the week, these briefings have been held between 4pm and 6pm, while at the weekend, it is normally between 2pm and 4pm.
Top ministers and government officials have been providing these updates on a daily basis since March 16 from 10 Downing Street.
How can I watch today's press conference?
You can watch the government's daily press briefings by live streaming via our YouTube channel.
The Sun's live blog will also provide text updates from the conference today.
What did Matt Hancock say at today's press conference?
Health Secretary Matt Hancock chaired today's meeting, where he spoke on the Government's strategy for helping care home patients and staff.
He was joined by Prof Chris Whitty, chief medical officer for England, and Prof Angela McLean, the UK’s deputy chief scientific adviser.
Mr Hancock began by thanking everyone staying at home, and said: “Together we are slowing the spread of this virus.”
He also paid tribute to Cpt Tom Moore, 99, who has raised more than £7m for the NHS by completing laps of his garden.
He reiterates the value of the lockdown – which is slowing the spread of the virus and protecting the NHS.
The number of critical care beds today – 2,657 – is at a record high.
Mr Hancock said 98,476 people have tested positive for Covid-19 in the UK.
19,529 are in hospital and 12,868 have died.
“We cannot let go of the hard work that's been done so far,” he said.
“This shared sacrifice is starting to work but we will not lift these measures until it is safe to do so.
“Everyone who stays at home is doing their bit.”
Today, he was focused on social care.
“Our goal throughout has been to protect residents,” he said, adding: “We will do whatever it takes.”
Mr Hancock said that “from the start, the government has focused on the need to control infections in care homes”.
Now all symptomatic care home residents will be tested, and there'll be testing for all workers and their households.
There'll also be more PPE for workers, supplied directly by the Royal Mail.
“I want to enhance support for our social care workers,” he said.
“People have held health and social care workers in such high esteem.
“It's not 'clap for the NHS', it's 'clap for our carers'.
“We're today introducing a single brand for social workers to symbolise the entire care profession.”
He shows a 'badge of honour' which will allow social care staff to “proudly and publicly identify themselves”.
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What was said at yesterday's briefing?
Chancellor of the Exchequer Rishi Sunak spoke about the OBR’s numbers, and emphasised that they set out what one scenario might look like, and that it’s important to be honest about what might be happening with our economy.
He thanked the OBR for their continued work and said that their figures show serious implications.
Sunak said that these will be tough times, and there will be more to come.
He stated that as a country we came into this crisis with a fundamentally sound economy, and that our planned economic response is protecting millions of businesses, charities and households.
Right now, the single most important thing we can do for the health of our economy is to protect the health of our people.
At a time when we are seeing hundreds of people dying every day from the disease, we must focus our resources in a collective national effort to beat this virus.
The Chancellor defended the Treasury's £330bn plan to protect businesses.
He says: “If we had not taken the action we had, the situation would be much worse.
“Our plan is the right plan. Whatever the NHS needs, it will get”.
The Chancellor handed over to the government's chief scientific advisor Sir Patrick Vallance.
He said that “we continue to see evidence” that Brits are complying with social distancing guidelines.
But he added that we “must keep it that way” going forward.
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