Update: See the latest stories on the coronavirus outbreak.

A further 53 people have died after being diagnosed with coronavirus in England, health chiefs said, bringing the death toll in the UK to 233.

NHS England said in a statement: “Patients were aged between 41 and 94 years old and all had underlying health conditions.”

As of 9am on Saturday, a total of 72,818 people had been tested for the virus, the Department of Health said.  Of these, 67,800 were negative and 5,018 positive – a 26% increase on the previous 24 hours. 

Two more deaths were also announced in Wales, bringing the country’s total to five.

The first person in the UK to die after being diagnosed with coronavirus was announced on March 5.

How did the outbreak start?

Coronaviruses are a large family of viruses that cause illnesses ranging from the common cold to more severe diseases such as severe acute respiratory syndrome (Sars).

The strain that has recently emerged is a new strain that had not been previously identified in humans. The respiratory disease it causes has been named Covid-19 by the WHO.

Coronaviruses are zoonotic, meaning they are transmitted between animals and people, the WHO says.

The first cases identified were among people connected to the Huanan Seafood Wholesale Market in Wuhan, China.

Experts believe the virus is spread in cough and sneeze droplets. The virus can survive on surfaces for several hours, but it is unclear exactly how long for.

Government scientists say a small proportion of people will pass on the virus while having no symptoms themselves.

General medical advice is to wash your hands with soap and hot water more often. Do this for at least 20 seconds each time.

The NHS says people should also wash their hands when they get home or arrive at work. Hand sanitiser can be used if soap is not available.

What are the symptoms?

Anyone with coughs and sneezes should catch them in a tissue, which is then put in a bin. Wash your hands afterwards.

People should also avoid close contact with people who are unwell, and avoid touching the eyes, nose or mouth if their hands are not clean.

Initial symptoms include fever, cough, tightness of the chest, shortness of breath and breathing difficulties.

More severe cases can cause pneumonia, sepsis and septic shock, which can lead to death. There are no specific treatments or vaccines as yet but symptoms can be treated.