A consultant who died after contracting Covid-19 has been described as a "very special human being" and "a real NHS hero".

A total of 18,738 patients have died in hospital after testing positive for coronavirus in the UK as of 5pm on Wednesday, the Department of Health said, up by 638 from 18,100 the day before.

Small businesses struggling under coronavirus pressures have been handed nearly £1.5 billion in government-backed loans in just a week - more than double the loans provided since the scheme began in March.

Millions of key workers and their households are now eligible for coronavirus tests as the Government races to meet its 100,000 daily target by the end of next week.

The Government have said it is working on the infrastructure for "large-scale" contact tracing as a key strategy for lifting the coronavirus lockdown.

Some of Britain's most famous faces united to entertain the nation as part of BBC One's Big Night In , which raised more than £27 million to help support vulnerable people during the coronavirus pandemic.

An NHS doctor who died after contracting coronavirus had reportedly pleaded with his hospital to provide protective equipment (PPE) in the days before he caught the disease.

A six-year-old boy with Spina Bifida has raised more than £200,000 for NHS charities by walking 10 metres every day in his walking frame.

Burberry said it has donated more than 100,000 pieces of PPE in line with its commitments to support relief efforts during the global health emergency.

UK businesses have furloughed 3.8 million workers during the coronavirus lockdown, Downing Street has said.

An average of 100 people a day are being arrested for domestic violence offences during the coronavirus lockdown in London, Scotland Yard has revealed.

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Barclays donates £250,000 to help our appeal to tackle hunger in virus crisis But demand grows amid growing reports one in five at risk of food poverty You can donate here virginmoneygiving.com/fund/FoodforLondonNOW

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The coronavirus death toll in UK hospitals has hit 19,506.

Prince Charles said he was left "utterly heartbroken" by the "tragic story" of the 13-year-old Muslim boy who died alone after contracting coronavirus.

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The Prince of Wales has paid tribute to a 13-year-old Muslim boy who died alone after contracting Covid-19.

Brits could be allowed to meet up with small "bubbles" of up to 10 of their closest family or friends in an effort to wind down the coronavirus lockdown.

Two men have been charged after a £3 million cocaine haul was uncovered in a purpose-built smuggling lorry in Dover.

Home Secretary Priti Patel revealed that police have been called to respond to some "extraordinarily dangerous driving" as car lovers take advantage of the quieter roads "as their own personal race track".

Police have been alerted to more than 1,000 potential child sexual abuse cases during the coronavirus pandemic, the Home Secretary has said.

The UK death toll could jump past 100,000 by the end of the year if lockdown is lifted too early, a top professor has warned.

All mail sent this week in the UK will be stamped with a special postmark to celebrate the 100th birthday of NHS fundraiser Captain Tom Moore.

The number of deaths in UK hospitals linked to coronavirus have risen by a further 413, the lowest daily rise this month.

Record-breaking daredevil pensioner Jack Reynolds has died aged 108, his family have said.

Teething problems continue to blight the Government's new online coronavirus test-booking platform, with home kits again running out by 9am.

Officials 'massively ramping up efforts' to meet target as army is deployed to help establish mobile testing facilities

Crowds flocked to B&Q after it reopened 155 stores during the fifth week of coronavirus lockdown.

Warning from head of High Street chain comes as retailers across the UK feel the financial pinch of coronavirus restrictions

As the Government ramps up testing this is all you need to know about getting tests and what they could mean in the battle against coronavirus.

Retailer also doubles staff discounts and commits to guaranteeing time off for employees over Christmas period

New Zealand moves to ease strict lockdown measures after successfully containing coronavirus outbreak

The death toll among coronavirus patients in UK hospitals has risen by the lowest one-day total since March 30.

At least 82 NHS workers and 16 social care staff have died after contracting coronavirus, Health Secretary Matt Hancock has confirmed.

NHS services including cancer care and mental health support which were paused due to the coronavirus outbreak will be restored from Tuesday, Matt Hancock has announced.

Loans to be available from next week as Government ramps up efforts to save small businesses from collapsing under financial fallout of Covid-19 crisis

A school in Bedfordshire has been flooded with thousands of cards from well wishers across the globe for Captain Tom Moore's upcoming 100th birthday.

University students have told how they are more anxious than excited about starting their careers after graduation amid the coronavirus pandemic.

Labour has proposed legislation to deliver a dedicated fast-tracked fund for domestic abuse services affected by the coronavirus crisis.

The chief medical officer for England has said the country is not "consistently" past the peak of coronavirus deaths.

Experts have said it is too early to reopen schools in the UK as it is still unclear how coronavirus spreads among children.

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Biggin Hill Heritage Hangar said it would instead fly The Spirit of Kent on a circuit around the Biggin Hill airfield at 8pm on Thursday, to coincide with the nation's weekly "Clap for our Carers" event.

"Openly acknowledging your mistake is not an admission of guilt, it is genuinely just making you seem more human."

After self-isolating for two weeks she plans to attend another rally

A 23-year-old who spat at police officers' faces in south London and claimed he had coronavirus blamed his behaviour on being stressed.