British health authorities said on Saturday that a total of 1,019 people have died from the coronavirus Covid-19, with 260 deaths in the past 24 hours.

 

The victims were from across England, Wales, Scotland, and Northern Ireland, as of Friday at 5pm, up from 759 at the previous count. 

 

"Patients were aged between 33 and 100 years old and all but 13 patients (aged between 63 and 99 years old) had underlying health conditions," the National Health Service said in a statement about the deaths in England.

 

A total of 120,776 people have been tested for the virus in the UK so far, with some 17,089 cases, and around 103,000 negative tests.

 

It comes as the government said it was ramping up testing for frontline hospital staff who have symptoms, or who live with people who have symptoms, reported BBC.

 

Critical care doctors and nurses will be prioritised first, with testing expected to follow for A&E staff, paramedics and GPs.

 

In Wales, Scotland and Northern Ireland, health workers are already being tested.

 

Yesterday it was announced that both Prime Minister Boris Johnson, and Health Secretary Matt Hancock had tested positive for Covid-19, with Chief Medical Officer Chris Whitty also displaying symptoms of the diseases.