The number of deaths related to Covid-19 jumped by 1,939 in the United States yesterday.

America has now seen a total of 12,722 deaths – with that number rising by nearly 20 per cent in just 24 hours.

The figure emerged as President Donald Trump blamed the World Health Organisation for failing to do more to stop international travel after the initial outbreak of the virus in China.

In Europe’s worst-hit countries, Italy saw 604 new deaths yesterday, down from 636 the day before and continuing a gradual decline from its previous peak. Spain’s death toll was 704 – very slightly higher than the previous day, but still on a downwards trajectory overall.