Covid UK deaths up by 462 over 24 hours

The number of deaths reported within 28 days of a positive Covid-19 test in the UK has risen by 462 in the last 24 hours, taking the cumulative death toll to 51,766.

New figures released on Saturday also show that a further 26,860 people have tested positive for coronavirus in the past 24 hours.

This is down from 27,301 new cases on Friday and the lowest number of new coronavirus cases recorded in the country since Wednesday.

On Thursday, the UK became the first country in Europe to record 50,000 deaths from the coronavirus, and the fifth country in the world to do so.

The new figures come as government scientists warn that England will need ongoing restrictions to normal life after the current national lockdown ends in early December, in order to keep the virus under control.

The government’s Scientific Advisory Group for Emergencies (Sage) released a new analysis in which scientists said there would be “very limited room to relax interventions” over the next six months, including during the festive period.

“The longer-term outlook depends on both the nature of [restrictions] that are implemented in England after 2 December and policies over the festive period,” said the report.

Professor Susan Michie, a member of Sage, said on Saturday that the next two weeks will be “absolutely crucial” in ensuring the current coronavirus lockdown ends as planned on 2 December and urged people to resist breaking the rules.

Speaking to BBC Radio 4’s Today programme, she said: “They’re going to be a very challenging two weeks, partly because of the weather, partly because, I think, the promise of a vaccine may be making people feel complacent.

“But the vaccine is very unlikely to come in until the end of the year or beginning of next year and that’s going to make no difference to the current second wave.

“So I think for the next two weeks, everybody has to really get all their resolve together.”

The government’s chief medical officer Chris Whitty also warned that the coming winter will be the most difficult period the NHS has endured for decades.

As healthcare workers grapple with the second wave of Covid-19, Prof Whitty told the British Medical Journal he was “really concerned about the welfare and morale of all the medical professionals”, adding that the next few months will be “a long and difficult slog”.