Coronavirus linked to second UK death
A man in his early eighties has become the second person to die in the UK after testing positive for coronavirus.
The man, who had underlying health conditions, died on Thursday while being treated at Milton Keynes University Hospital.
As of 9am on Friday, 163 people had tested positive for Covid-19 - up from 115 cases reported at the same time on Thursday.
Northern Ireland then confirmed its fourth case later on Friday, bringing the total to 164.
Milton Keynes University Hospital NHS Foundation Trust confirmed on Friday night that a man in his early eighties died shortly after testing positive for coronavirus.
In a statement, the trust said: "His family has been informed and our thoughts and condolences are with them at what is undoubtedly a difficult and distressing time.
"The hospital continues to work with Public Health England to isolate any patients or staff who had contact with the patient."
The trust said all services and appointments at the hospital were "running normally" and that it was following advice to minimise the risk of the virus spreading.
Chief medical officer Professor Chris Whitty said work was already under way to establish who the man had come into contact with.
He said: "I offer my sincere condolences to their family and friends and ask that their request for privacy is respected.
"The patient, who was being treated at the Milton Keynes University Hospital, was an older patient who had underlying health conditions. Contact tracing is already under way."
On Thursday evening another patient, reported to be a woman in her seventies, became the first person in the UK to die after being diagnosed with Covid-19 while at the Royal Berkshire Hospital in Reading.
Last week, a British tourist who had been on board the Diamond Princess cruise ship, which was quarantined in Japan, became the first UK citizen to die after testing positive for the virus.
Published: by Radio NewsHub