Coronavirus update UK: Death toll increased by 24% to 2,921

The total number of confirmed coronavirus infections in the UK was 33,718 as of 0800 GMT on April 2nd, the health ministry reported on Thursday.

"Of those hospitalised in the UK who tested positive for coronavirus, 2,921 have sadly died," the health ministry added. This number presented a 24% increase from the previous day.

Market reaction

The UK's FTSE 100 Index, which gained as much as 0.7% earlier in the day, made a sharp U-turn in the last hour and was last seen erasing 0.76% on the day at 5,413.06 points. Additionally, the GBP/USD pair erased all of its daily gains to turn flat near 1.2375.