COVID-19: Zero daily coronavirus deaths reported in England, Scotland and Northern Ireland

Zero coronavirus-related deaths were reported in England, Scotland and Northern Ireland over the latest 24-hour period, it has been revealed.

It is the first time the three nations have registered no COVID-19 fatalities in a single day since 30 July 2020.

A further four daily deaths were reported in Wales.

Meanwhile, there have been 2,357 more cases reported in the latest 24-hour period.

Monday's numbers compare with one death within 28 days of a positive test and 1,649 cases across the UK last Monday.

Total deaths in the UK since the start of the pandemic stand at 127,609.

The figures emerged shortly before Boris Johnson announced the planned relaxation of coronavirus restrictions would go ahead as planned next week.

"With deaths and hospitalisations at their lowest level since last July and the UK's four chief medical officers today agreeing a reduction in the alert level, the data now support moving to step three in England from next Monday, May 17," he told a Downing St briefing.

He said England remained "on track" to end all legal restrictions on 21 June and that an update later this month would set out what role, "if any", could be played by coronavirus health certificates and social distancing.

"This unlocking amounts to a very considerable step on the road map back to normality and I am confident we will be able to go further," he said.

"Subject to the impact of step three on the data, we remain on track to move to step four on June 21.

"And to give business more time to prepare we will be saying more later this month about exactly what the world will look like and what role there could be - if any - for certification and social distancing."

The latest government daily figures also show another 100,626 people had a first dose of a coronavirus vaccine and 187,171 had their second dose.

It means 17,856,550 are now fully vaccinated, while 35,472,295 have had at least one shot.

The government has said it will offer all adults a jab by the end of July, and in England anyone over 40 is now eligible.