Boris Johnson adviser Dominic Cummings may have breached lockdown rules, police say - CNN

Although it is important to look to evidence from other countries, comparing figures directly can be misleading as different countries compile their figures in different ways with different categories of patient included."

The numbers deliver a cold judgment on the way Johnson's government has responded to the pandemic, and come as some raise concerns about a second wave of cases as society reopens in June.

Experts say it's not safe to reopen schools

Meanwhile, on Thursday morning a leading group of experts said it would be unsafe for the government to reopen schools in England next week as planned.

Johnson later confirmed at a news conference that he is pushing ahead with his plan to welcome selected year groups back to the classroom starting June 1, as part of a wider relaxation of the country's lockdown.

Until they are, it is not safe to open schools everywhere on June 1," said the report from the Independent SAGE group of scientists.

The group was established by former UK chief scientific adviser David King and includes several leading scientists concerned about the advice being given to ministers.

The report suggested that the plan to reopen schools on June 1 had not been properly vetted by the experts in the Scientific Advisory Group for Emergencies (SAGE), the official body of scientists who advise the government.