17:29 – Government to provide cash grants of up to £25,000 to smaller businesses in the retail, hospitality and leisure sectors with a rateable value less than £51,000
16:44 – The Department of Health confirms a further 14 people have died in England after being diagnosed with coronavirus.
The total number of deaths in England now stands at 69. The patients were aged between 93 and 45 years old. All had underlying health issues.
16:18 – Latest advice from NHS regarding ibuprofen for coronavirus patients
“Currently no strong evidence that ibuprofen can make coronavirus (COVID-19) worse”.
“But until we have more information, take paracetamol to treat the symptoms of coronavirus, unless your doctor has told you paracetamol is not suitable for you,” it adds.
“If you are already taking ibuprofen or another non-steroidal anti-inflammatory on the advice of a doctor, do not stop taking it without checking first.”
15:47 – NHS England to suspend non-urgent surgery for 3 months
In a bid to make space in hospitals for coronavirus patients, NHS England is suspending non-urgent elective surgery for 3 months.
Chief Executive Sir Simon Stevens said operations will be suspended from 15th April at the latest.
“In readiness for the likely influx of more coronavirus patients, we are going to be taking concerted action across the NHS… up to a third of the general and acute beds – perhaps 30,000 of those general and acute beds – for coronavirus patients.”
The number of confimed cases of Coronavirus in the UK currently stands at 1,950 – an increase of 407 in 24 hours. The NHS is priotitising testing for patients in intensive care so the actual estimated number of those with Coronavirus in the UK could be as high as 55,000.