UK records highest number of new coronavirus cases in two months as death toll rises by 11

The UK's official coronavirus death toll rose by 11 to 41,358 on Friday, as the number of new cases recorded in 24 hours reached its highest level in two months.

In the 24-hour period up to 9am on Friday, there had been a further 1,441 lab-confirmed cases, according to Government figures. Overall, a total of 316,367 cases have been confirmed.

The daily figure for positive tests is the highest since June 14.

The increased death toll measures the number of people who have died within 28 days of testing positive for Covid-19.

Separate figures published by the UK’s statistics agencies show there have been 56,800 deaths registered in the UK where Covid-19 was mentioned on the death certificate.

Earlier it was reported that the number of people who have died in UK hospitals after testing positive for coronavirus has risen by eight.

All occurred in English hospitals, bringing the the total number of confirmed reported deaths in hospitals in England to 29,452.

The patients were aged between 75 and 90, and all had known underlying health conditions.

First Minister Nicola Sturgeon said Scotland had seen no new Covid-19 deaths reported in the past 24 hours, with Public Health Wales also reported no further deaths.

The total number of deaths in Wales since the beginning of the pandemic remains at 1,586, while 4,213 deaths have been registered in Scotland where COVID-19 was mentioned on the death certificate.

Ms Sturgeon said on Friday that Scotland has 253 people in hospital with confirmed or suspected Covid-19 — a decrease of five in 24 hours.

Figures for the total number of people who have died within 28 days of a positive coronavirus test in the UK will be released later on Friday.

It comes as restrictions remain in place in parts of the country.

People in parts of northern England face a third week banned from meeting others in their homes or gardens as the latest evidence shows no decrease in the number of coronavirus cases, according to the Department of Health.

Households in areas of the North West, West Yorkshire, East Lancashire and Leicester cannot mix indoors - unless they are in a support bubble - and limits remain on numbers meeting outside.

While venues including casinos, bowling alleys and conference halls across England prepare to reopen on Saturday - following a two-week delay - such businesses will not be allowed to reopen in Greater Manchester, West Yorkshire, East Lancashire or Leicester.

The department said the latest evidence does not show a decrease in the number of cases per 100,000 people in those areas.

A spokesman for Greater Manchester Combined Authority said: "The Mayor of Greater Manchester and leaders once again agreed on Wednesday that increased restrictions should continue across the city-region for another week.

"The situation in Greater Manchester remains challenging. It is clear that while the current restrictions appear to be having a positive effect in some places, we urgently need to bring the number of cases down in several boroughs.

"Everyone in Greater Manchester must do all they can to reduce the number of cases. That means individuals, pubs, restaurants and supermarkets all taking this seriously and following all the regulations.

"We will continue to work as one Greater Manchester system with a particular focus on providing support to Oldham as they strengthen further their intensive test and trace operation."

The overall UK coronavirus death toll was reduced by more than 5,000 earlier this week following a review of how figures are calculated.

The Department of Health and Social Care said the number of all deaths in patients testing positive for Covid-19 in the UK within 28 days was 41,329, as of Wednesday, August 12.

Earlier Government figures said 46,706 people had died in hospitals, care homes and the wider community after testing positive for coronavirus in the UK, as of 5pm on Tuesday.

Read more

Lockdown restrictions in parts of England to remain in place