Coronavirus: 693 more people with COVID-19 have died in UK
The latest figure is for coronavirus-related fatalities in all settings, including hospitals, care homes and the wider community.
Tuesday 5 May 2020 17:39, UK
Another 693 people who tested positive for COVID-19 have died in the UK, taking the total to 29,427.
The latest figure from the Department of Health is for coronavirus-related fatalities in all settings, including hospitals, care homes and the wider community, as of 5pm on Monday.
The previous rise of 288 was the lowest daily increase since the end of March, Health Secretary Matt Hancock said.
Experts have pointed out that there can sometimes be a lag after the weekend as some administration staff who collect the figures may not be working on Saturday and Sunday.
On Tuesday, it was announced a further 366 people with COVID-19 have died in hospital in England, bringing the total to 21,750.
In Scotland, 44 more deaths have been reported, with the overall fatality figure there now 1,620.
In Wales, a further 26 people have died after testing positive for coronavirus, taking the total to 1,023.
Separate figures from the Office for National Statistics suggest 29,710 deaths involving COVID-19 in England and Wales were registered up to 2 May.
The ONS said the numbers are based on where the virus is mentioned anywhere on the death certificate, including in combination with other health conditions.
Together with the latest equivalent numbers for Scotland (2,272 deaths registered up to 26 April) and Northern Ireland (393 deaths registered up to 29 April), it means a total of 32,375 deaths involving COVID-19 have now been registered across the UK.
Meanwhile, ministers are considering easing the coronavirus social-distancing restrictions on people meeting outdoors.
The prime minister's official spokesman said they were looking at possible "easements" - as well some toughening of the rules - ahead of the expected publication on Sunday of the government's "roadmap" on the next phase of the COVID-19 response.
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Also, Mr Hancock has dismissed warnings by civil liberties campaigners that a new coronavirus contact-tracing app could open the door to widespread "state surveillance".
Ministers are urging the public to sign up to the app - which is beginning trials on the Isle of Wight - as a way out of the current lockdown and re-starting the economy.
Mr Hancock has insisted it is "completely wrong" to say that the app represents a threat to civil liberties.