THE UK death toll from the coronavirus has today risen by 121 in all settings, reaching a total of 36,914.
It marks the second-lowest rise since lockdown measures began in March.
The Department of Health and Social Care also confirmed that 73, 726 tests had been carried out on May 24, with 1,625 positive cases recorded.
It comes as the death toll in hospitals in England rose by 59 earlier today – one of the smallest daily increases since the beginning of the pandemic.
However, NHS England today said the number of deaths may be larger as the system used to collate deaths was down for almost all of Sunday.
They said: “The Covid Patient Notification System did not operate between 0455 and 1500 on Sunday 24 May due to connectivity issues experienced by an external supplier.
“The number of deaths reported today by NHS England and NHS Improvement may therefore reflect this situation.
“The system is now fully operational and the reports of any deaths which were not able to be entered yesterday will be uploaded and reconciled.”
The deaths in England today included patients between 44 and 98 years old.
London only reported four deaths, while the Midlands recorded the most at 15.
Scotland today recorded another three deaths, with the total number of fatalities now at 2,273.
Wales reported seven new deaths to bring its death toll to 1,274 while Northern Ireland’s total number of fatalities grew to 514 after another eight patients died.
It comes as:
- A hospital in a seaside town was closed this morning after a surge in coronavirus cases
- A large number of schools will open next week, the Education Secretary has said
- Pubs won’t open until July at the earliest, it was warned
- Brits flocked to beaches to make the most of the sunny weather despite social distancing guidelines
Yesterday, the UK death toll grew by 118 – the lowest of any day since lockdown.
It comes after Boris Johnson last night hinted shops could reopen and families may be able to be meet up in social “bubbles” as further lockdown measures are set to be eased next week.
The Prime Minister has said Britain is heading into “step two” of his plan to get the country moving again.
Mr Johnson suggested last night that lockdown measures could be eased further as he spoke during the Downing Street press conference.
He confirmed the country appears to be “in a position to move to step two” on his road map back to some kind of normality amid the coronavirus pandemic.
The second stage is hoped to begin on June 1 – next Monday – if the government is satisfied with the progress made in controlling the pandemic.
It is hoped a further relaxing of measures will coincide with the return of the first classes to school.
Britain has been in lockdown for over two months with most shops closed and people living in isolation since March 23.
Mr Johnson has said he will not hesitate to slam on the brakes if it looks like Britain risks a second wave of the deadly bug.
But critics said the announcement was an attempt to shift the spotlight away from the Dominic Cummings row.
Mr Cummings has been accused of breaking lockdown twice, prompting calls for him to step down or be sacked.
