The number of people who have died in the UK after contracting coronavirus has risen to 177 after England saw 39 more deaths – the biggest rise in a day.
There have been 167 in England, six in Scotland, three in Wales and one in Northern Ireland.
The number of deaths across the UK is up 40 on the equivalent total for yesterday.
This is the biggest day-on-day rise since the outbreak began.
The first coronavirus-related death in the UK was reported 15 days ago, on March 5.
A statement from NHS England said: “A further 39 people, who tested positive for the coronavirus (Covid-19) have died, bringing the total number of confirmed reported deaths in England to 167.
“Patients were aged between 50 and 99 years old and had underlying health conditions.
“Their families have been informed.”
Out of the 39 further deaths reported on Friday, 17 were in London, NHS England said.
It comes as Prime Minister Boris Johnson is expected to impose stricter measures on London including closing all pubs, restaurants, cinemas and gyms across London could be closed across the capital.
Mr Johnson is expected to bring in the rules at a meeting of officials on Friday afternoon, according to reports.
Shops, however, are likely to be able to remain open for the time being.
The PM has previously said the Government would not “rule out” taking “further and faster measures” than the social distancing instructions already outlined.
Scientists advising the Government have agreed that social measures to control the spread of Covid-19 will need to be in place for most of a year.
The Scientific Pandemic Influenza Group on Modelling agreed on Monday that, while the severity of measures could alternate during the period, “stricter” measures would need to be enforced for at least half of the year in order to keep cases at a level the NHS can cope with.
