The UK government has confirmed we are not seeing an acceleration in coronavirus cases, and added we will know more next week.

Speaking in today’s coronavirus briefing, Chief Scientific Advisor Sir Patrick Vallance said: “What you can see is there is not that big upswing of growth that we talked about at the beginning. There is a fairly steady increase in numbers.

“It’s possible we’re beginning to see the beginning of change in terms of the curve flattening a little bit. We won’t know that for sure for a week or so. What we’re not seeing is an acceleration.”

The Department of Health and Social Care confirmed earlier today that as of 9am this morning, 55,242 have tested positive for coronavirus. As of 5pm yesterday, 6,159 have died after contracting the disease.

Dominic Raab has been tasked with taking over many duties while Boris Johnson recovers after contracting Covid-19. The Prime Minister was taken to intensive care yesterday evening (6 April) after being given oxygen and displaying persistent coronavirus symptoms. He has remained at St Thomas’ Hospital since.

An official update was released earlier today, with Downing Street confirming that Johnson is said to be in a ‘stable’ condition and is not being treated with a ventilator.

A government spokesperson said: “The Prime Minister has been stable overnight and remains in good spirits. He is receiving standard oxygen treatment and breathing without any other assistance. He has not required mechanical ventilation or non-invasive respiratory support.”

Speaking to Radio 4’s Today programme, Cabinet Minister Michael Gove also said: “The Prime Minister is not on a ventilator. He has received oxygen support and, of course, one of the reasons for being in intensive care is that whatever support the medical team consider to be appropriate can be provided.

“I think all of us recognise that the team at St. Thomas’ are among some of the finest doctors in the country. The doctors, the nurses and the other staff there will be making appropriate medical decisions and they have our full support in the amazingly important work that they do.”