New research has stated the UK will hit a peak of deaths on April 5 if it follows the same trajectory as China. According to research from Tom Pike, from Imperial College London, if the UK follows a similar rate as China, 260 fatalities are expected at its daily peak with a total of 5,700 deaths from the crisis. This comes as the number of deaths in the UK rose to 578 according to latest figures. Although the number of deaths has not risen to the levels of Italy or Spain, the former’s chief scientific adviser, Walter Ricciardi criticised the UK’s response to the COVID-19 outbreak. Speaking to Sky News Mr Ricciardi said the UK should have initiated a lockdown much earlier after seeing the virus devastate Italy. 

He said: “When I looked at some images of the London Tube or some mass gatherings that happened when we already had the impression that this was dangerous, this was a kind of example that could have been avoided.

“Having had the example of Italy, the UK could have adopted its lockdown much earlier.”

In order to help the self-employed, Chancellor Rishi Sunak unveiled a package whereby those workers will be able to access Universal Credit.

The Government will also cover 80 percent of their monthly profits over the last three years. 

The scheme will be for those who earn under £50,000 a year which is estimated to be up to 3.8 million people. 

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8.17am update: South Africa reports first deaths

South Africa has reported, two people have died in the country after testing positive for COVID-19.

The government has also reported over 1,000 cases of the virus. 

8.12am update: FTSE 100 down

The  FTSE 100 has opened at 3.2 percent down this morning at the start of trading. 

The stock market has been hit with several poor days of trading over the last month due to the coronavirus outbreak. 

However, in the last few days, the $2.2trillion (£1.8trillion) US aid package had seen a pick up in global markets. 

8.01am update: John McDonnell fears for payment schedule 

Yesterday, Chancellor Rishi Sunak unveiled a new financial package to help the self-employed. 

Under the proposal, the self-employed will be able to access Universal Credit and will have 80 percent of their monthly profits from the last three years covered by the Government. 

Commenting on the new proposal, Shadow Chancellor John McDonnell, said he feared those workers will have to wait until June to access the payment. 

He told Sky News: “The big issue that has come from most of them is having to wait until June for payments.

“Some are saying ‘look we can’t survive beyond the next few weeks’, so we’ll work with the Government to see whether or not payments can be made more quickly.”

7.37am update: UK braced for peak of outbreak

In a recent research paper from professor Tim Pike of Imperial College London, if the UK follows a similar trajectory of China, the COVID-19 outbreak will hit a daily peak of 260 on April 5.

However, if the rate continues to that of China, the overall number of mortalities could hit 5,700, much lower than the expected 20,000. 

The paper did add that these are solely projections but that adoption of social distancing is more effective than highly restrictive measures.