Britain’s coronavirus death toll now world’s third-worst

The UK government is weighing up options for easing its lockdown, but with the death toll still rising, officials are warning that restrictions will not be removed any time soon.

Schools could be allowed to restart classes in a phased way when it’s safe to do so, while some outdoor businesses may be among the first to be able to open again, at the right time, Education Secretary Gavin Williamson and Communities Secretary Robert Jenrick said on Wednesday.

But with health officials warning that the virus may last until a vaccine is found, the threat of a second wave of infections is forcing ministers to tread cautiously on lifting lockdown measures. Foreign Secretary Dominic Raab said the example of Germany, where new cases of Covid-19 rose after some social distancing restrictions were relaxed, showed the risk Britain faced.

“A second spike would be harmful to public health and would result in many more deaths,” he said at a press conference from 10 Downing Street. “It’s vital we proceed carefully.”

Britain’s death toll from the coronavirus outbreak jumped to 26,097 on Wednesday – the second-highest in Europe behind Italy and third-highest in the world - as the government took into account fatalities outside hospital, including care homes, for the first time.