COVID-19 death toll reaches 13,729 in UK
Xinhua
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LONDON, April 16 (Xinhua) -- The death toll of those hospitalized in Britain who tested positive for the novel coronavirus hit 13,729 as of Wednesday afternoon, a daily increase of 861, the Department of Health and Social Care said Thursday.

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A cleaner in PPE (personal protective equipment) arrives at 10 Downing Street, the official residence of Britain's Prime Miniser, in central London on April 16, 2020. (Photo: AFP)

As of Thursday morning, 103,093 people in Britain tested positive for COVID-19, said the department.

Commenting on the impact of COVID-19 on the British economy and society, the Office for National Statistics (ONS) said Thursday that around 25 percent of businesses in Britain reported a temporary closure or trading pause between March 23 and April 5, while three quarters have continued operating. 

Data showed that for the businesses which were trading, on average 21 percent of the workforce had been furloughed under the terms of the British government's Coronavirus Job Retention Scheme in the period.