A hospital chaplain has been telling Premier of his work as a 'go between' for families and coronavirus patients.

Because of strict distancing rules, those who are hospitalised are unable to see relatives.

Rev David Southall, who works with Worcestershire Acute NHS Trust, has been getting written messages from family members and taking them onto the wards.

Speaking about a recent encounter, he said: "I went up, put on a mask, gown, gloves and everything else you need to wear at this time and read out to him the emails which were sent to me (by the family).

"There was much weeping on his part. He was relieved and grateful to know they were thinking of him."

Rev Southall says he's been in awe of the work of medics working on the front line.

Describing what it's like to walk through a hospital, he said: "I see a nurse assuring me that no person will die on their own, that seem to me to be Jesus' work.

"I see someone sitting by the bedside as someone is dying and assuring them with words of comfort - nurses, doctors. That seems to me to be the work of Jesus."

On Friday, the government confirmed that 14,576 people have now died as a result of Covid-19.

The number was given as a top scientist warned the number may rise to 40,000 before the end of the outbreak.