UK records highest single daily rise in coronavirus deaths at 381

"There are some signs - as a result of people observing social distancing - that we may be able to flatten the spread of infection but now is absolutely not the time for people to imagine that there can be any relaxation or slackening," Gove said at a news conference.

Stephen Powis, National Medical Director of NHS England, added that the next week or two would be critical in the fight against the virus.