Covid-19 death toll rises 626 to 31,241

The latest figures from the Department of Health show that a total of 31,241 people had died in hospitals, care homes and the wider community after testing positive for coronavirus in the UK as of 5pm on Thursday, up by 626 from 30,615 the day before.

But the number of deaths involving Covid-19 that have been registered across the UK now 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 3,417 hospital patients who had tested positive for Covid-19 died between April 25 and May 7 – which, together with the total figure of 33,021 registered deaths, suggests the overall death toll for the UK has now passed 36,000.