As Ireland announced it was extending its lockdown period to May 5, UK health secretary Matt Hancock said that the country's coronavirus death toll had climbed to a record high of 980 fatalities.

There are now 8,958 people who have died due to COVID-19 in Britain.&nbsp;

<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/boris-johnson-who-tested-positive-for-coronavirus-leaves-intensive-care-291662">Also Read: Boris Johnson, who tested positive for Coronavirus, leaves intensive care</a>

"We never forget behind this number, behind each one is a name, a loss and a family which will never be the same again," Hancock declared while adding that 19,116 coronavirus tests were carried out across UK with 5,706 testing positive.

The minister reiterated that there was a huge demand for&nbsp;Personal Protective Equipment(PPE) with 58,000 PPE needed by health workers in the country but there was a global squeeze on supply. Hancock appealed to British companies to ramp up production and produce at an "unprecedented scale"&nbsp;to ensure NHS workers get the equipment.

Meanwhile, reports said PM Johnson who was taken out of ICU after being hit by coronavirus was able to walk&nbsp;with his recovery underway.

As Ireland announced it was extending its lockdown period to May 5, UK health secretary Matt Hancock said that the country's coronavirus death toll had climbed to a record high of 980 fatalities.

As Ireland announced it was extending its lockdown period to May 5, UK health secretary Matt Hancock said that the country's coronavirus death toll had climbed to a record high of 980 fatalities. There are now 8,958 people who have died due to COVID-19 in Britain. Also Read: Boris Johnson, who tested positive for Coronavirus, leaves intensive care "We never forget behind this number, behind each one is a name, a loss and a family which will never be the same again," Hancock declared while adding that 19,116 coronavirus tests were carried out across UK with 5,706 testing positive. The minister reiterated that there was a huge demand for Personal Protective Equipment(PPE) with 58,000 PPE needed by health workers in the country but there was a global squeeze on supply. Hancock appealed to British companies to ramp up production and produce at an "unprecedented scale" to ensure NHS workers get the equipment. Meanwhile, reports said PM Johnson who was taken out of ICU after being hit by coronavirus was able to walk with his recovery underway.

UK COVID-19 death toll rises to record 980 fatalities; 8,958 people dead

British PM Boris Johnson, 55, who was hospitalized after showing "persistent symptoms" of <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/virus-hit-us-girds-for-pearl-harbour-moment-as-death-toll-spikes-290736">coronavirus</a> is in "good spirits", his spokesman said.

<a href="https://www.wionews.com/india-news/youre-fighter-youll-overcome-this-challenge-pm-modi-to-uks-boris-johnson-after-he-tests-positive-for-coronavirus-288977">Also Read: You’re fighter, you'll overcome this challenge, PM Modi to Johnson</a>

PM Johnson was admitted at night in St Thomas' Hospital in London and remained "under observation", the spokesman informed.

Watch Video:

<div class="videoWrapper trancodeVideo"><iframe allowfullscreen="" autoplay="1" class="includeVideo" frameborder="0" height="350" src="https://www.wionews.com/videos/uk-pm-boris-johnson-taken-to-hospital-amid-covid-19-symptoms-290751/embed" style="width:100%;max-width:560px;" width="560"></iframe></div>

The British prime minister was detected with the virus ten days ago but was put under quarantine at home in his Downing Street flat.

Johnson was admitted in the hospital even as Britain battled with the virus with the number of cases rising every day. Britain has 47,806 confirmed COVID-19 cases and nearly 4,934 deaths, with both numbers - those infected and deaths -&nbsp; likely to rise as the National Health Service(NHS) struggles to combat the disease.

Apart from the UK prime minister, health secretary Matt Hancock and Prince Charles were the other high profile people hit by the virus but they have since recovered.

In an address to the nation, Queen Elizabeth said the country "will succeed” in the fight against coronavirus while reassuring the citizens that, "We should take comfort that while we may have more still to endure, better days will return and we will be with our friends again,&nbsp;we will be with our families again,&nbsp;we will meet again.”

British PM Boris Johnson, 55, who was hospitalized after showing "persistent symptoms" of coronavirus is in "good spirits", his spokesman said. Also Read: You’re fighter, you'll overcome this challenge, PM Modi to Johnson PM Johnson was admitted at night in St Thomas' Hospital in London and remained "under observation", the spokesman informed.

British PM Boris Johnson, 55, who was hospitalized after showing "persistent symptoms" of coronavirus is in "good spirits", his spokesman said. Also Read: You’re fighter, you'll overcome this challenge, PM Modi to Johnson PM Johnson was admitted at night in St Thomas' Hospital in London and remained "under observation", the spokesman informed. Watch Video: The British prime minister was detected with the virus ten days ago but was put under quarantine at home in his Downing Street flat. Johnson was admitted in the hospital even as Britain battled with the virus with the number of cases rising every day. Britain has 47,806 confirmed COVID-19 cases and nearly 4,934 deaths, with both numbers - those infected and deaths - likely to rise as the National Health Service(NHS) struggles to combat the disease. Apart from the UK prime minister, health secretary Matt Hancock and Prince Charles were the other high profile people hit by the virus but they have since recovered. In an address to the nation, Queen Elizabeth said the country "will succeed” in the fight against coronavirus while reassuring the citizens that, "We should take comfort that while we may have more still to endure, better days will return and we will be with our friends again, we will be with our families again, we will meet again.”

British PM Boris Johnson in 'good spirits' after being hospitalised due to COVID-19

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UK COVID-19 death toll rises to record 980 fatalities; 8,958 people dead

British PM Boris Johnson in 'good spirits' after being hospitalised due to COVID-19