18-year-old youngest to die as UK coronavirus deaths rise to 281

The UK's coronavirus death toll rose to 281, with the youngest to die aged just 18, as the number of people infected surged to 5,683.

All 37 people aged between 18 and 102 who were announced to have died in England after testing positive for coronavirus were in vulnerable groups including with underlying conditions, the NHS said.

They included five deaths at Frimley Health NHS Foundation Trust, four at St. Georges University Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust, and four at Croydon Health NHS Trust.

On Sunday, seven deaths were announced in Wales, while four were announced in Scotland and one in Northern Ireland.

The latest number of cases, announced by health officials, are the number of people who have tested positive for the virus since the outbreak began, as of 9am on Sunday.

At the same time on Saturday, 5,018 people were confirmed as testing positive for the virus.

It came as the Italian Premier Giuseppe Conte went on live TV to announce he was tightening the country’s lockdown and shutting down all production facilities except those providing essential goods and services.

“We are facing the most serious crisis that the country has experienced since the Second World War,” Mr Conte said during a broadcast at midnight.

He cautioned citizens to be calm and patient, insisting there was “no alternative” than to impose further restrictions.

Scientists have argued avoiding even one infection means scores more are prevented down the line.

During his weekly Sunday blessing, Pope Francis urged all Christians to join in reciting the Our Father prayer next Wednesday at noon.

“To the virus pandemic, we want to respond with the universality of prayer, of compassion, of tenderness,” the pope said.