The UK's coronavirus death toll has now reached 10,612 as of 5pm yesterday (11 April), according to figures released by the Department of Health and Social Care. 737 people have died over the 24 hour period since yesterday's update.
The number of confirmed cases has also risen to 84,279 as of 9am this morning (12 April).
Earlier today, Prime Minister Boris Johnson thanked the nation for the efforts they've been making in the fight against the virus.
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In a video shared on his Twitter feed after he was discharged from hospital, Johnson said: "I want to thank everyone in the entire UK for the effort and the sacrifice you have made and are making.
"When the sun is out and the kids are at home, when the whole natural world seems at its loveliest and the outdoors is so inviting, I can only imagine how tough it has been to follow the rules on social distancing."
He added: "I want you to know that this Easter Sunday I do believe that your efforts are worth it. Because although we mourn every day those who are taken from us in such numbers, and though the struggle is by no means over, we are now making progress in this incredible national battle against coronavirus."
The Prime Minister was admitted to hospital last Sunday and went on to spend some time being treated in intensive care.
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In the video, he also gave thanks to NHS staff for the sterling work they've been doing in the fight against the virus, praising their relentless courage.
Johnson continued: "I have today left hospital after a week in which the NHS has saved my life, no question.
"In the last seven days I have of course seen the pressure that the NHS is under. I have seen the personal courage not just of the doctors and nurses but of everyone: the cleaners, the cooks, the healthcare workers of every description, physios, radiographers, pharmacists - who have kept coming to work, kept putting themselves in harm's way, kept risking this deadly virus.
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"It is thanks to that courage, that devotion, that duty and that love that our NHS has been unbeatable."
Thanking specific staff members for their help, he added: "I want to thank Po Ling and Shannon and Emily and Angel and Connie and Becky and Rachael and Nicky and Ann.
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"And I hope they won't mind if I mention in particular two nurses who stood by my bedside for 48 hours when things could have gone either way. They are Jenny from New Zealand - Invercargill on the South Island to be exact - and Luis from Portugal, near Porto.
"And the reason in the end my body did start to get enough oxygen was because for every second of the night they were watching and they were thinking and they were caring and making the interventions I needed."
Featured Image Credit: PA
Topics: UK News, News, Coronavirus
