Coronavirus deaths rose by 112 on the day the UK marked a year since the first nation-wide lockdown.
It brings the Covid-19 total death toll to 126,284. Separate figures published by the UK’s statistics agencies show there have now been 149,000 deaths registered in the UK where Covid-19 was mentioned on the death certificate.
According to Government data, infections increased by 5,379 on Tuesday, taking the total number of positive cases in the UK to 4,307,304.
Meanwhile the latest Government data up to March 22 shows that of the 30,691,557 coronavirus vaccines given in the UK so far, 28,327,873 were first doses – a rise of 329,897 on the previous day.
Some 2,363,684 were second doses, an increase of 82,300.
It comes as a series of sombre ceremonies are taking place across the UK to mark one year since the start of the first nation-wide lockdown.
MPs and peers in both Houses of Parliament and ministers in the devolved nations marked the anniversary at midday, while NHS and social care workers also joined the pause for reflection.
Cathedrals in Blackburn, Winchester, Gloucester and York also fell silent in honour of those who have died during the pandemic.
The Queen reflected on the “grief and loss felt by so many” as she paid tribute to the service of health and care workers in a message to St Bartholomew’s Hospital, where the Duke of Edinburgh had heart surgery.
The Prime Minister, who has offered his “sincere condolences to those who have lost loved ones”, observed the minute’s silence privately and is set to lead a Downing Street press conference at 5pm today.
Seven deaths of coronavirus patients were recorded in Scotland in the past 24 hours, according to the latest official figures.
Coronavirus: Minute silence for anniversary of the first national lockdown
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There were 495 new cases in the same period with a daily test positivity rate of 3.6 per cent, down slightly from 3.7 per cent on Monday.
Northern Ireland recorded two further deaths of patients who previously tested positive for Covid-19.
Another 174 confirmed cases of the virus were recorded by the Department of Health in the last 24-hour reporting period.
