UK's official coronavirus death toll rises by 269 to nearly 32,000

The UK has recorded another 269 deaths among people diagnosed with coronavirus.

The latest figures from the Department of Health show that a total of 31,855 people have died in hospitals, care homes and the wider community after testing positive for Covid-19.

The statistics include deaths recorded up until 5pm on Saturday.

It is a rise of 269 fatalies from 31,586 the day before. The figure for total deaths issued on Saturday was reduced by one from 31,587 after Northern Ireland removed a previously reported death from its statistics.

Separately, the number of deaths involving Covid-19 that have been registered across the UK currently stands at 33,021.

This includes 29,710 deaths that occurred in England and Wales up to April 24 and which had been registered up to May 2, according to the Office for National Statistics.

Boris Johnson will make an address to the nation this evening
Getty Images

The statistics are different to the individuals figures announced each day by each of the UK's health bodies and may vary due to different reporting methods and a lag in recording.

The numbers are also often lower at weekends.

The latest fatalities come as Boris Johnson confirmed the new "stay alert" slogan to take the UK into the next phase of lockdown.

The new "stay alert, control the virus, save lives" instruction replaces Downing Street's "stay at home" message throughout the past seven weeks of restrictions.

The PM is poised to unveil a five-phase warning system during an address to the nation at 7pm, with the UK currently at level four of a spectrum ranging from level one at green to level five at red.

The UK is set to enter the next phase of lockdown after the PM's speech
Getty Images

Mr Johnson tweeted on Sunday lunchtime: “Everyone has a role to play in helping to control the virus by staying alert and following the rules.

“This is how we can continue to save lives as we start to recover from coronavirus.”

He also revealed that Brits must now stay at home "as much as possible", work at home "if you can", and limit contact with others and maintain social distancing.

Nicola Sturgeon warned it was not time to lift the restrictions yet
PA

But it has prompted a backlash from all three devolved leaders, who have refused to budge from the original stay at home advice, while Labour said it would leave the public "puzzled".

Nicola Sturgeon warned on Sunday afternoon that "people will die unnecessarily" if restrictions are lifted too soon, citing the R-number - which measures contagion - as "still too high".

In a withering attack on Number 10, she told a press briefing: "We should not be reading of each other's plans in newspapers," adding "I don't know what 'stay alert' means".

She added: "As leaders we have a duty to deliver that clarity to those we are accountable to, not to confuse it. To that end I have asked UK government not to deploy their ''stay alert' advertising campaign in Scotland."

In a further blow for Number 10, Welsh First Minister Mark Drakeford and Northern Ireland leader Arlene Foster also distanced themselves from the new mantra.

Cabinet minister Robert Jenrick earlier defended the move, calling it the right time to "update and broaden the message".

A No 10 spokesman said the public can stay alert by “staying at home as much as possible”, “limiting contact with other people” and keeping two metres apart where possible.

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