What happened in tonight’s government coronavirus press conference?
Deaths in the UK jumped by 181 overnight to a total of 759 as the pandemic continues to claim lives.
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What time was the coronavirus press conference today?
The coronavirus press conference took place at 5pm today.
The daily coronavirus press briefing takes place between 4pm and 6pm UK time.
Most previous conferences have taken place just after 5pm from Downing Street.
Journalists also dial into the press briefing these days rather than attend in person to help with social distancing measures.
Who spoke at the briefing today?
Michael Gove chaired today's briefing, alongside chief scientific adviser Patrick Vallance and Head of NHS England Simon Stevens.
It comes after Prime Minister Boris Johnson and Health Secretary Matt Hancock both tested positive for coronavirus on Friday.
Thursday's press conference was given by Chancellor of the Exchequer Rishi Sunak and Deputy Chief Medical Officer Dr Jenny Harries.
What was announced in the briefing?
The Government used the press conferences to update the nation on the latest measures taken in the fight against coronavirus.
MP Michael Gove revealed the infection rates had been doubling every three to four days and that we need to strengthen the NHS's ability to protect us all from the virus, whilst the number of beds and staff in hospitals are both increasing with investment in life saving equipment.
Gove also said Prime Minister Boris Johnson and Matt Hancock had both tested positive for coronavirus whilst Chris Whitty is self-isolating with symptoms.
He also said the PM has brought together businesses and universities in a new alliance to increase testing for health workers and hundreds will be carried out by the end of the weekend with many more next week.
NHS England Chief Executive Simon Stevens also announced 33,000 are available to treat further coronavirus patients and two new hospitals are being built in Manchester and Birmingham.
What was unveiled in yesterday’s announcement?
Rishi Sunak yesterday unveiled the Government's long-awaited plan for helping the self-employed.
The £9billion package will support up to 3.8million self-employed workers hit by the fallout of coronavirus.
The scheme will allow self-employed workers to claim up to 80 per cent of their average monthly trading profit over the last three years up to £2,500.
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Why is the government holding daily briefings?
Boris Johnson and his senior cabinet ministers had been criticised for a lack of regular updates into what is happening with the coronavirus outbreak.
Among them was Sir Keir Starmer – a candidate to become the next Labour leader – who called for daily press conferences.
The Shadow Secretary said he was “deeply concerned” that “ministers have been failing in their responsibilities to provide consistent and transparent public health advice”.