The UK has confirmed more than 40,000 coronavirus-related deaths – only the second country after the United States to reach such a total.
Official Government figures show 40,261 people have died in hospitals, care homes and the wider community. The count includes only those people who have tested positive for Covid-19.
The British Health Secretary, Matt Hancock, speaking at the daily UK government news conference, confirmed 357 new deaths in previous 24 hours.
"Although the past few months have been a time of enormous sorrow for many people we have made progress in our fight against the virus," he said.
"There is so much more to do. We must always remain vigilant especially when it comes to protecting our National Health Service."
Mr Hancock said 283,311 people had tested positive for Covid-19 with 1,650 new cases reported in the previous 24 hours.
Separate figures from the Office for National Statistics, which includes all fatalities in which Covid-19 is mentioned on a death certificate, puts the death toll at 48,106.
The office also said there were 61,895 more deaths than would normally be expected since the pandemic reached the UK. The number includes conditions such as dementia, where delay in care may have contributed towards deaths.
The UK is behind only the US, which, with 108,278 deaths, has by far the most coronavirus fatalities.
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Neighbours clap for the NHS and other key workers. Danny Burrows -
Taken on a bike ride round a local park in Bristol. Bill Ward Photography -
The rainbow balloon entrance at the National Hospital for Neurology and Neurosurgery. Historic England -
Shopping in Wolverhampton. Anand Chhabra -
Photographed whilst enjoying some exercise during lockdown. Historic England -
'Life in Lockdown' Bottle Alley, St Leonards-on-Sea. Chloe Dewe Mathews -
'Working more shifts, longer shifts, more emotionally draining shifts than ever before.' Historic England -
The rainbow became a symbol of honouring the NHS. Anand Chhabra -
Owen Bull, just before his 14th birthday, planting vegetable seeds in the garden due to the difficulty in getting food deliveries during Covid 19 lockdown. Historic England -
Piccadilly Circus in central London is usually packed with people and cars. Alla Bogdanovic -
This is the first week of lockdown when we first started the Joe Wicks PE sessions in the living room. Francesca Brecciaroli -
"It was the first time since the official lockdown I'd been able to visit the supermarket so the queuing outside was all new to me," said Michaela Strivens. Historic England
Both Brazil, which is earlier in its outbreak and where the government has tried to minimise lockdown orders, and Italy, which is later in its outbreak and has started lifting restrictions, have suffered more than 30,000 deaths.
The UK is slowly easing its lockdown restrictions but most shops remain closed and starting on June 8, passengers arriving in the country will have to complete two weeks of self-isolation.
