The UK coronavirus death toll rose to 1,019 as of 5pm yesterday (27 March) – an increase of 260 in just 24 hours.

As of 9am today, 120,776 people have been tested for covid-19 in the UK, with the number of confirmed cases now standing at 17,089.

The Department of Health and Social Care recently changed the way it releases the numbers, giving out the death toll as of 5pm the previous day while still giving out the number of tests and results as of 9am the same day.

Prime Minister Boris Johnson announced he had tested positive for the coronavirus yesterday, and said he was experiencing ‘mild symptoms’.

He told the country he would continue his duties and would be working from home.

The 55-year-old said: “I can continue, thanks to the wizardry of modern medicine, to communicate with all my top team to lead the national fightback against coronavirus.

“And I want to thank everyone who’s involved, of course, above all, our amazing NHS staff. It was very moving last night to join in that national clap for the NHS.”

Yesterday, Michael Gove promised testing for front line workers would begin ‘immediately’.

Speaking during the daily conference, Gove said: “These tests will be trialled for people on the front line starting immediately, with hundreds to take place by the end of the weekend, dramatically scaling up next week.”

Adding: “Protecting our front line workers is at the forefront of everyone’s minds at the moment.

“Last night millions of people paid a fantastic tribute to the heroes and heroines of the NHS when they stepped outside their front doors and clapped.”

Talking about the rising numbers of positive cases he said: “The best scientific analysis now is that the rate of infection has been doubling every three to four days.

“These figures are a powerful reminder of the need for all of us to act, we need to slow the spread of the virus and strengthen the NHS’s ability to protect us all.”