Government Confirms There Have Been Over 100 Coronavirus-Related Deaths In 24 Hours

The UK Government has announced that there have been over 100 coronavirus-related deaths in the last 24 hours.

The Department of Health and Social Care released figures stating that as of this morning (26 March) a total of 104,866 have been tested.

Of those, 93,208 have tested negative, with 11,658 positive. They added: "As of 5pm on 25 March, of those hospitalised in the UK, 578 have sadly died."

The numbers of deaths are being reported at 5pm from the previous day, on 24 March - the day before the latest numbers - 463 people had passed away.

Earlier this afternoon (26 March), Chancellor Rishi Sunak has announced a 'self employed income support scheme' to protect self employed workers in the UK.

It includes a taxable grant worth 80 percent of the worker's average monthly profits over last three years. The scheme will be open for at least three months and self-employed people can continue to do business.

Workers will be able to access the grant no later than June, and it is expected that 95 percent of people who are majority self-employed will be able to benefit from the scheme.

Furloughed employees are also eligible for a grant worth 80 percent of their average monthly profits.

It comes after it was announced last Friday that the Government would cover 80 percent of wages up to £2,500 ($2,989) a month for staff being kept on by their employer.

The 'coronavirus job retention scheme' will be open to all businesses and was described as 'unprecedented measures for unprecedented times'.