Advertisement

COVID-19: UK cases rise by 16,298 and another 504 deaths reported

Another 16,298 coronavirus cases and 504 deaths have been reported in the UK.

Last Friday, there were 16,022 cases, and 521 deaths - with a 460.3 seven-day average.

Coronavirus-linked deaths in the UK, within 28 days of a positive test, yesterday passed 60,000.

On Thursday, the government reported 14,879 cases and 414 deaths.

The total number of confirmed cases in the UK now stands at 1,690,432, with 60,617 deaths.

Another 1,364 people with COVID-19 were also admitted to hospital, according to the latest daily tally.

Live updates on coronavirus from UK and around world

The number of deaths involving the virus could be higher than the government total.

Office for National Statistics (ONS) figures on where COVID is mentioned anywhere on the death certificate - along with data from recent days - put the figure at 76,000.

A positive test is not required in this count and coronavirus may be a contributory factor, rather than the main cause of death.

It comes as estimates suggest the UK's R number has fallen to its lowest since August - at between 0.8 and 1.0 - meaning the pandemic is likely to be shrinking.

Infections in England are also believed to be continuing to fall, according to the latest ONS weekly survey.

It estimates one in 105 people had the virus between 22 to 28 November - an improvement from the one in 85 seen seven days earlier.