The number of coronavirus deaths in the UK has soared by 534 with another 27,052 cases. Yesterday the UK recorded another 489 coronavirus deaths with 28,507 new cases.
Earlier today it was announced that coronavirus has claimed the lives of 432 more people in UK hospitals. England reported 339 deaths, Wales had 35, Scotland recorded 41 and Northern Ireland reported 17.
The latest figures come as Boris Johnson is poised to address the nation. England's chief medical officer has confirmed that a new mutant Covid-19 strain spreads more rapidly - and urgent work is underway to see if it is more deadly.
Prof Chris Whitty said the UK has informed the World Health Organisation about the new variant. At the moment he said there is "no current