UK Coronavirus Death Toll Surges to 1,228, Number of Cases Rises to 19,522

The UK has implemented several stringent social distancing measures in recent weeks to combat the spread of the virus. The government has issued warnings against all non-essential travel, tightened its borders, and restricted public gatherings.

The death toll from the coronavirus in the UK has jumped by 209 people in the last 24 hours bringing the total number of deaths in the country to 1,228 so far, according to the UK Department of Health and Social Care.

The number of coronavirus cases has surged to 19,522, the UK Department of Health and Social Care reported.

— Department of Health and Social Care (@DHSCgovuk) March 29, 2020

In the United Kingdom, Prime Minister Boris Johnson and Health Minister Matt Hancock have tested positive for the coronavirus, while Chief Medical Officer for England Chris Whitty is self-isolating over COVID-19 symptoms.

Earlier this week, London's second-largest airport, Gatwick, said that it would close one of its two terminals beginning on 1 April, as passenger traffic has fallen amid the COVID-19 pandemic.

​On a global scale, the number of COVID-19 cases has surpassed 681,000, with over 31,700 deaths and over 145,600 recoveries, according to Johns Hopkins University, which tracks official statistics from countries around the world.

The World Health Organisation declared the coronavirus outbreak a pandemic on 11 March.