Coronavirus: it is ‘too early’ to discuss lockdown exit strategy

He said a ‘serious discussion’ will only be possible once the peak has been reached.

At the daily briefing Professor Whitty was joined by chief scientific adviser to the Ministry of Defence, Professor Dame Angela McLean and Foreign Secretary Dominic Raab.

Raab confirmed 208,837 people have now been tested for coronavirus. He added that 51,608 have tested positive, 17,911 have been hospitalised and 5,373 people have died.

Boris Johnson was hospitalised as a precautionary measure, according to Raab.

He said the PM is still in hospital under observation, but that Johnson still continues to lead the government.

The PM had a ‘comfortable night’ and is in good spirits, Raab added.

Asked if there is an exit strategy he said the number one priority is to slow the spread of the virus.

He said the number of critical care beds is being increased to bolster the NHS.

More than 200,00 British nationals have returned from Spain on commercial flights, 13,000 from Egypt and 8,000 from Indonesia, according to Raab.

He said chartered flights had brought home more than 2,000 people from seven countries.

Whitty added that he is very confident that the UK will develop an efficient antibody test ‘over time’.

He said the tests will become more accurate as time goes by.