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UK coronavirus LIVE: Death toll jumps by 155 as Boris Johnson refuses to apologise over 'cowardly' care home comments

Research suggests a rolling cycle of lockdown followed by a period of easing restrictions could manage the spread of Covid-19: AFP via Getty Images
Research suggests a rolling cycle of lockdown followed by a period of easing restrictions could manage the spread of Covid-19: AFP via Getty Images

Downing Street has refused to apologise after Boris Johnson sparked outrage by claiming "too many care homes didn't really follow the procedures" at the height of the coronavirus crisis.

The Prime Minister was accused of an "absolute travesty of leadership" over the comments, but Number 10 has insisted Mr Johnson was simply "pointing out that nobody knew what the correct procedures were" at the time, and care homes have done a "brilliant job".

It comes as a number of pubs in England were forced to shut after customers tested positive for Covid-19, just two days after the so-called Super Saturday easing of lockdown restrictions.

Meanwhile, a further 155 people have died in the UK after testing positive for coronavirus.

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