UK coronavirus death toll rises by 15 in lowest daily jump since mid-March

The number of people who have died after testing positive for coronavirus in UK hospitals has jumped by 77 (Picture: PA)

The number of people who have died in the UK after testing positive for coronavirus has risen by 15, the lowest daily increase since mid-March.

The new figures from the Department of Health on Monday bring the UK's overall death toll to 42,647.

This is the lowest daily reported rise in deaths since March 15 but there is often a lag in the reporting of deaths over weekends.

Another 958 people tested positive for the virus in the 24 hours to 9am on Monday, bringing the total number of people infected to 305,289.

Healthcare staff wearing masks (PA)

Nearly 140,000 tests were carried out or sent off in the same period. Overall, a total of 8,029,757 tests have been completed.

No new deaths were announced in Scotland or Northern Ireland on Monday, while Public Health Wales said one person had died after contracting coronavirus.

Monday is the sixth day in a row that Scotland has recorded no coronavirus-linked deaths.

NHS England reported on Monday that 20 more people had died with the virus.

Figures reported by regional health authorities vary from the overall Government total because of differences in the reporting period.