UK coronavirus death toll rises by 154 to 43,081

Some 306,862 cases confirmed positive

At least 43,081 people in the UK have died died in hospitals, care homes and the wider community after testing positive for coronavirus, the Department of Health has announced.

The figure, as of 5pm on Tuesday, was up by 154 from 42,927 the day before.

The government figures do not include all deaths involving Covid-19 across the UK, which are thought to have passed 54,000.

The DHSC also said in the 24-hour period up to 9am on Wednesday, 232,086 tests were carried out or dispatched, with 653 positive results.

Overall, a total of 8,542,186 tests have been carried out and 306,862 cases have been confirmed positive.

The figure for the number of people tested has been “temporarily paused to ensure consistent reporting” across all methods of testing.