Coronavirus: UK infected figure jumps from 590 to 798 in a day
A total of 798 people have tested positive for coronavirus in the UK as of 9am on Friday, up from 590 at the same point on Thursday, the Department of Health said.
Of those patients tested so far, 2.4% have had a positive result.
Today's rise in confirmed cases in the UK from 590 to 798 is the largest day-on-day increase since the outbreak began.
It is a jump of 208, which is 35% up on the equivalent figure for Thursday.
It is the first time the day-on-day increase has been higher than 200.
One week ago, on March 6, the total number of cases stood at 163.
Today's total of 798 is almost five times greater than the equivalent figure one week ago.