More lives sadly lost in Sheffield as UK coronavirus hospital death toll rises by 47

NHS England revealed today that a total of 288 Covid-19 patients have died in Sheffield hospitals since the pandemic began – two more than yesterday’s figure.

The figure had not risen for over a week.

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The figure does not include care home deaths or those in any other setting.

Another two deaths have been recorded in Doncaster since yesterday, with the towns death toll now 227.

Elsewhere in South Yorkshire, the figures remain the same as yesterday, with Rotherham’s death toll 195 and Barnsley’s 147.

The government has today announced a series of measures to boost the economy in the wake of the coronavirus crisis – in the hope of helping businesses and saving jobs.

VAT is to be slashed on food, accommodation and attractions in a major boost for hospitality firms hit hard by the coronavirus pandemic.

Chancellor Rishi Sunak announced that tourism and hospitality VAT will be cut from 20 per cent to five per cent for the next six months in his ‘mini-budget’ announcement.

The move will cut the tax on eat-in and hot takeaway food from restaurants, cafes and pubs, which have started to reopen over the past week.

Mr Sunak also said the move will benefit accommodation in hotels, B&Bs, campsites and caravan sites, while attractions such as cinemas, theme parks and zoos will also see the tax cut.

It will be reduced from Wednesday, July 15 until January 12, he told MPs.