Coronavirus UK LIVE: Boris Johnson now 'able to walk' while he recovers from Covid-19 as death toll rises by nearly 1,000

Boris Johnson has been able to take “short walks” as part of his care while he recovers from coronavirus, Downing Street has said.

It comes as Health Secretary Matt Hancock said at the daily Covid-19 press conference that Mr Johnson wanted to "personally thank" the NHS team at St Thomas' .

Meanwhile, The UK's death toll has jumped sharply, with 980 new patient fatalities confirmed on Friday to a total of 8,958.

In other news, the country's coronavirus lockdown faces its sternest test this weekend as the public is urged to stay home over Easter.

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