UK coronavirus death toll hits 33,186 as 494 more die

Coronavirus deaths in the UK have risen to 33,186 after 494 fatalities were recorded in the last 24 hours.

A total of 229,705 have now tested positive for the bug across Britain - up 3,242 from yesterday.

The latest death toll refers to those who have died in all settings - including care homes, hospices and the wider community.

The rise is smaller than it was yesterday, when 627 more deaths were logged.

This is likely to be due to a lag in reporting over the long weekend, with figures only catching up yesterday.

Today's jump does however remain the smallest daily rise recorded on a Wednesday in the UK for the last seven weeks.

In England, the total number of COVID-19 deaths rose to 23,952 today - up 244 from yesterday.