The COVID-19 death toll has passed 1,000 in the UK.

The UK Department of Health and Social Care said a further 260 people have died taking the total to 1,019.

Meanwhile there are now 17,089 confirmed cases of the virus in the UK.

The figures include two more deaths in the North, where 15 people have now died.

There are 324 confirmed cases in Northern Ireland and officials have tested a total of 3,961 people.

The NHS Nightingale, a temporary hospital under construction in London, 27-03-2020. Image: Andrew Parsons/10 Downing Street

The vast majority of the deaths in the UK have been in England, with officials noting that all but 13 had underlying health conditions.

Some 40 people have died in Scotland and 38 in Wales.

Workers at The NHS Nightingale, a temporary hospital under construction in London, 27-03-2020. Image: Andrew Parsons/10 Downing Street

The NHS has set up a huge temporary hospital in London to deal with the crisis.

When complete the facility will be capable of hosting 4,000 patients at a time.

Temporary hospitals are also being built in Birmingham and Manchester.

Main image shows the NHS Nightingale, a temporary hospital under construction in London, 27-03-2020. Image: Andrew Parsons/10 Downing Street