Home Secretary Priti Patel revealed the total of 1,243 deaths within 28 days of a positive COVID-19 test at the Downing Street press conference today.
It brings the total number of UK deaths within 28 days of a positive test to 83,203.
The highest death toll of 1,325 people died in the UK within 28 days of a positive Covid tes was reported on Friday.
The latest data came as Priti Patel insisted coronavirus restrictions are clear, firm and “tough enough”, at the press conference.
After Boris Johnson was caught cycling in Olympic Park seven miles from Downing Street, Priti Patel backed the PM but said: "stay home means stay local."
The Home Secretary said: “We are in a pandemic. The British public are absolutely sensible, they are conscientious, they understand the stay at home message.
“When it comes to staying at home that also means staying local… Exercise is important – it’s important for people’s health and wellbeing – and that equally applies to exercise.”
Pressed on whether the rules are tough enough, Ms Patel said: “The rules are clear, the rules are firm in terms of staying at home…
“The rules are tough enough – you’ve already heard 45,000 fixed-penalty notices have been issued just in the recent time since we’ve been in this pandemic.”
The number of Covid-19 patients in hospital in England stood at a record 32,202 as of 8am on Tuesday January 12, according to the latest figures from NHS England.
The figure is up 22 per cent on a week ago, and up 82 per cent since Christmas Day.
In London, the number stands at 7,606 patients, up 12 per cent in a week, while in the Midlands the number is 5,630, up 24 per cent.
