The UK's coronavirus death toll has risen by a record 1,325 the highest daily figure since the pandemic began. That is 101 deaths higher than the previous highest daily nationwide toll of 1,224 on April 21, during the peak of the first lockdown.
Infection rates also soared by 68,053 over the previous 24 hours. The deaths were recorded in the 24 hours to Friday across all settings including hospitals, care homes, and the wider community.
A total 1,162 lost their lives to coronavirus on Thursday. The grim figures comes as England remains under its third national lockdown.
Covid-19 infection rates have been steadily topping 50,000 daily as a new and more virulent mutant strain of the virus spreads throughout the country.