Coronavirus deaths in UK rise by lowest level since the end of March

The latest figures from the Department of Health show that a total of 31,855 people had died in hospitals, care homes and the wider community after testing positive for coronavirus in the UK as of 5pm on Saturday, up by 269 from 31,586 the day before.

It is the lowest daily figure since 29 March, when there were 214 fatalities in a 24-hour period.

The figure for total deaths issued on Saturday was reduced by one (from 31,587) after Northern Ireland removed a previously reported death from its statistics, the Department of Health said.

But the number of deaths involving Covid-19 that have been registered across the UK currently stands at 33,021.

This includes 29,710 deaths that occurred in England and Wales up to April 24 (and which had been registered up to May 2), according to the Office for National Statistics.

Today's figures from NHS England show that a further 3,782 hospital patients who had tested positive for Covid-19 died between April 25 and May 9 – which, together with the total figure of 33,021 registered deaths, suggests the overall death toll for the UK has now passed 36,800.

Meanwhile, Shadow Northern Ireland secretary Louise Haigh accused Boris Johnson of a "dangerous" approach by deviating from the "stay at home" messages being given by devolved administrations.

She said: "At a time when we need maximum certainty, the PM has decided to go it alone on messaging.

"This isn't only disrespectful, it's dangerous."

Nicola Sturgeon has described the UK Government's new "stay alert" lockdown messaging as "vague and imprecise".

The Scottish First Minister has asked that the campaign is not deployed north of the border, saying it would be "catastrophic" to drop the "stay at home" advice.

She added that the current messaging is "clear".