The UK reported its biggest single-day jump in death toll of 563 due to the coronavirus pandemic on Wednesday, taking the total number of COVID-19 deaths in the country to 2,352.
The Department of Health said 29,474 people have tested positive for the virus, an increase of 4,324 cases since Tuesday, as the country remains under lockdown with the government's advice for the people to stay at home and observe strict social distancing when outside for exercise or purchase of essentials.
"The youngest of those who sadly died was just 13 years old. All our thoughts and prayers are with the families of those who have lost their loved ones," said UK Business Secretary Alok Sharma as he led the daily Downing Street briefing on Wednesday.
He said the numbers are proof that the virus does not discriminate.
Prime Minister Boris Johnson imposed stringent controls after projections showed a quarter of a million people could die. Johnson has since become the first leader of a major power to announce a positive test result for coronavirus.
Britain lags Italy, Spain and France in terms of the number of deaths, but they are still doubling around every 3.5 days.
While that is similar to the trajectory of Italy - the world¡¯s worst-hit country - when it was reporting similar numbers of deaths just over two weeks ago, British officials said on Tuesday they saw tentative reasons for optimism.
The senior Indian-origin minister also highlighted some of the measures put in place for UK businesses to cope during the crisis, including business rates relief and grants and called on banks to not "unfairly" refuse loans sought by businesses in their hour of need.
"It is crucial that when we overcome this crisis, as in time we will, that businesses are in a good position to move forward. Times are tough and there are harder times ahead of us but I know that together we will pull through,¡± he said.
The latest virus positive tests mark an increase of nearly 20,000 confirmed cases in the UK in just one week.