UK Covid death toll up by 529 in 24 hours

Latest government figures show death toll now stands at 53,274

A further 529 people have died after testing positive for coronavirus in the UK, bringing the total number of fatalities since the start of the pandemic to 53,274. 

The latest government figures also show that, as of 9am on Wednesday, there had been a further 19,609 lab-confirmed cases of Covid-19 in the UK.  

It brings the total number of cases in the UK to 1,430,341. 

Separate figures published by the UK's statistics agencies for deaths where Covid-19 has been mentioned on the death certificate show there have now been 68,000 deaths involving Covid-19 in the UK. 

Dr Susan Hopkins, a Public Health England (PHE) director, has said the public will need to make "every effort" to keep coronavirus cases low in December in order to gather at Christmas.  

Dr Hopkins, a senior medical adviser to the government's Covid-19 response, suggested tougher restrictions could be needed either side of Christmas if curbs are to be eased over the festive period to allow families to celebrate together.  

She told a Downing Street briefing on Wednesday: "We are very keen that we have a Christmas as close to normal as possible.  

"That requires all of us to make every effort over this national restriction period and even in early December to get the cases as low as possible and to reduce the risk of transmission within households and between families.  

"A final decision will rest with the government and we look forward to hearing what those plans are.”  

She said scientists had suggested that one day of greater freedom required five days of restrictions. 

Additional reporting by PA