UK coronavirus death toll rises by 151 to 41,279

1,266 more people test positive in 24 hours, meaning total number of confirmed cases reaches 291,409

The Department of Health and Social Care (DHSC) says 41,279 people have died in hospitals, care homes and the wider community after testing positive for coronavirus in the UK as of 5pm on Wednesday, up by 151 from 41,128 the day before.

In the 24-hours period up to 9am on Thursday, 197,007 tests were carried out or dispatched, with 1,266 positive results. The number of cases that have been confirmed positive overall has reached 291,409.

NHS England announced on Thursday a further 83 people had died in hospital after testing positive for coronavirus, bringing the total number in England to 27,790.

The Government figures do not include all deaths involving Covid-19 across the country, which is thought to have passed 52,000.

DHSC said it has paused reporting the number of people tested “to ensure consistent reporting across all pillars”, adding that any incorrect figures identified will be corrected.

The UK’s coronavirus risk level remains high.

The new figures come after the prime minister announced further easing of restrictions, which allows single-adult households to form a "support bubble" with another household of any size.

Boris Johnson also said non-essential retail shops, zoos and safari parks will be allowed to reopen from Monday, as the government was confident that it was meeting its five tests on death and infection rates, provision of equipment to healthcare workers and keeping the all-important R rate of reproduction of the disease below one.

Reporting by PA