UK coronavirus death toll rises by 48
The coronavirus death toll in the UK has increased by 48.
As of 5pm on Thursday, 44,650 have died across all settings from those tested positive for coronavirus in the UK.
The figures, from the Department of Health and Social Care (DoH), do not include all deaths involving Covid-19 across the UK, which are thought to have passed 55,000 according to Office for National Statistics data. The numbers released by the government include all deaths in hospitals, care homes and the wider community in people who have tested positive for coronavirus.
England
A further 22 people who tested positive for coronavirus have died in hospital in England, bringing the total number of confirmed deaths in hospitals to 29,013, NHS England said. The patients were aged between 52 and 99 and all of them had known underlying health conditions. Another four deaths were reported with no positive Covid-19 test result.
Scotland
No new coronavirus deaths have been recorded in Scotland for the second day running, Nicola Sturgeon has announced.
The First Minister told the Scottish Government’s coronavirus briefing 2,490 patients have died in Scotland after testing positive for Covid-19, no change since Wednesday.
Wales
There are no new deaths of people who tested positive for coronavirus in Wales, with the number remaining at 1,540, Public Health Wales said.
The total number of cases in Wales increased by 10 to 15,939.
Northern Ireland
No further deaths have been recorded with Covid-19 in Northern Ireland, the Department of Health said, leaving the total number of people who have died at 554.
Another four positive cases have been noted since Thursday, bringing the total confirmed cases in the region to 5,772, according to the department.