Coronavirus: Sheffield death toll edges towards 150 as 596 more people die in Britain

The city has now lost a total of 144 people due to the disease as of this afternoon (Sunday, April 19) as Sheffield’s confirmed case rate reaches 1,533.

In South Yorkshire, 11 fatalities were announced in the last 24 hour reporting period.

Rotherham now has 453 cases with 58 deaths- an increase of eight in the past 24 hours.

Doncaster has reported 263 cases with 55 deaths and Barnsley now stands at 444 cases with 50 deaths.

The figures were provided by Public Health England as part of its daily breakdown into covid-19- however, they are thought to be far higher as they do not include those who have died in care homes or in the community.

Across the entirety of the UK, the coronavirus death toll has soared to 15,464- the fifth highest total in the world behind the US, Italy, Spain and France.

The UK remains on lockdown to prevent the spread of coronavirus after the government agreed to extend it yesterday for at least another three weeks.

It means people can only leave their homes for shopping, essential travel to work, exercise once a day and for medical supplies or appointments.

This week Michael Gove denied reports that the government will ‘start relaxing current coronavirus lockdown measures’ within weeks.

He said it was ‘still too early to tell’ when the lockdown, which came into force on March 23, would be lifted.