UK coronavirus deaths rise above 11,000, government grapples with economic toll

The death toll from COVID-19 in British hospitals rose to 11,329 on Monday as the government – without its recuperating leader Boris Johnson – faced questions over its handling of the outbreak and the impact on the economy.

Finance minister Rishi Sunak has told colleagues Gross Domestic Product could shrink by up to 30% this quarter because of the coronavirus lockdown, The Times newspaper reported, and there was little hope restrictions would soon be lifted.

The British death toll is the fifth highest globally and a senior scientific adviser to the government has said the country risks becoming the worst-hit in Europe.