The UK has previously reported 41,903 coronavirus positive cases. (Representative)
London:
Britain reported 708 more deaths from COVID-19 at a new daily high on Saturday as the number of confirmed cases rose to almost 42,000.
The Ministry of Health said 4,313 people who tested positive for the virus in the hospital died at 1600 GMT on Friday, while there were 41,903 confirmed cases on Saturday at 0800 GMT, an increase of 3,735.
The death toll has risen steadily this week, with more than 500 deaths a day, and the country is preparing for an expected 10-day high next week.
Prime Minister Boris Johnson, who is self-isolating after developing mild symptoms of the disease, ordered a three-week ban on the country on March 23 to try to reduce infections.
However, there were concerns that the warmer weather forecasts for this weekend could seduce people from their homes to green spaces and public parks.
"I'm just asking you not to do that," Johnson said in a video message on Friday. "Please, please stick to the instructions now."
Health minister Matt Hancock also warned of loosening social distance. "If we do that, people will die," he said in a daily meeting on Friday about the government's response.
A special speech by Queen Elizabeth II. The crisis should be broadcast on Sunday evening.
Imperial College London epidemiologist Neil Ferguson, who advises the government, told BBC Radio on Saturday that a high point was expected on Easter weekend.
"We still believe things will reach a plateau, but we will have a fairly high level of infection for weeks instead of seeing a fairly rapid decline, as seen in China," he said.
But he said it depends on people staying at home. In this case, less stringent measures could be taken "at least until the end of May," he added.
Another record-breaking death toll was announced after 13 residents of a nursing home in Glasgow had died in a week in a suspected coronavirus outbreak.
Burlington Court Care Home in Cranhill said that those who died had underlying illnesses and two employees were treated for COVID-19.
Coronavirus testing is currently underway in the most serious cases requiring hospitalization, indicating that the true extent of confirmed cases and deaths is underestimated.
The government has now announced that up to 4,000 low-risk prisoners could be released from prison in England and Wales at the end of their prison terms to stop the spread of COVID-19.
A total of 88 prisoners and 15 prison workers tested positive for the virus, and there is concern that it could spread quickly due to shared cells and overcrowding.
The Ministry of Justice announced that the released people would be electronically marked and gradually released under license. High-risk offenders are not considered for early release.
