UK may ease lockdown next week as deaths surpass Italy

Prime Minister Boris Johnson announced that the UK might start easing its nationwide coronavirus lockdown measures as early as next week, but stressed that it would not be done in a way that risks a new surge of cases.

The UK's official virus death toll has surpassed Italy's to become the highest in Europe, with more than 32,000 fatalities, and over 200,000 positive cases.

Johnson expressed regret over the deaths in care homes, which number over 6,000, but noted a "palpable improvement" in recent days.

The lockdown measures are up for review on Thursday, and Johnson will outline the next steps on Sunday.

He unveiled a new goal to conduct 200,000 coronavirus tests per day by the end of May, doubling the previous target, although recent daily testing numbers have fallen below 100,000.

The government is trialling a "track-and-trace" system using a smartphone app to identify localized outbreaks.

One of the scientists advising the government, Professor Neil Ferguson, resigned after admitting to breaking lockdown rules.