A total of 14,576 patients have died in hospital after testing positive for coronavirus in the UK as of 5pm on Thursday, the Department of Health said, up by 847 from 13,729 the day before.

The new comes after the Health Secretary described the current level of testing as “frustrating”, as he announced eligibility for tests will soon be expanded to more non-patients.

Speaking at a virtual session of the Commons Health Committee on Friday, Matt Hancock said testing figures for the day before were just over 18,000.

This is up from 15,994 tests carried out across England, Scotland and Wales in the 24 hours up to 9am on Wednesday.