Coronavirus UK daily deaths hit 608 in highest daily jump since May

There have now been more than 71,000 deaths involving Covid-19 in UK

A further 608 people have died within 28 days of testing positive for coronavirus, the government has said - the highest daily jump since 12 May.

It brings the total number in the UK to 55,838.

The government said as of 9am on Tuesday there had been a further 11,299 lab-confirmed cases of coronavirus in the UK, bringing the total number of cases to 1,538,794.

Separate figures published by the UK's statistics agencies for deaths where Covid-19 has been mentioned on the death certificate, together with additional data on deaths that have occurred in recent days, show there have now been more than 71,000 deaths involving Covid-19 in the UK.

It comes as England prepares to return to a tiered system of coronavirus restrictions when the national lockdown ends next week.

The government is expected to announce on Thursday which places will be placed under tiers 1, 2 and 3.

Meanwhile, ministers will hold a Cobra meeting bringing together the UK government and the devolved administrations on Tuesday afternoon to agree a four-nation approach to relaxing restrictions over the Christmas period.

Boris Johnson has acknowledged the risks involved in a Christmas relaxation, saying it is the "season to be jolly careful", but is determined to give families the chance to meet up at the end of a grim year.