Coronavirus: UK death toll rises by 384 to 33,998

236,711 people have so far tested positive for disease

The UK’s coronavirus death toll has risen by 384 over 24 hours, according to the latest government figures.

A total of 33,998 people infected with the virus had died as of 5pm on Thursday, the Department of Health said.

The figures show 69,590 more people were tested in a 24-hour period as of 9am on Friday.

A total of 1,663,492 people have now been tested, of which 236,711 tested positive for the disease.

Separate statistics released by the Office for National Statistics (ONS) estimate an average of 148,000 people in England had coronavirus at any given time between 27 April and 10 May.

The results of the pilot study suggest an average of 0.27 per cent of the community population, or one in 370 people - excluding health and care workers - were infected with the virus over the period.

However, among people working in patient-facing healthcare and resident-facing social care roles, 1.33 per cent tested positive for Covid-19.

This includes NHS professionals, such as nurses and doctors, as well as social care workers, such as nursing home or home care workers.

New data released by ONS on Friday also suggests more than 12,500 people living in care homes have now died with Covid-19, with the majority dying in their care home.

Figures show just over one in four of all deaths of care home residents in England and Wales between 2 March and 1 May involved Covid-19.

Of 45,899 care home residents who died during this period, 27 per cent (12,526) had Covid-19 mentioned on their death certificate.

Some 9,039 (72 per cent) of the deaths occurred within a care home and 27 per cent were in hospital.

Additional reporting by Press Association.