Coronavirus: UK reports 186 more COVID-19 deaths as daily count rises by more than a fifth
The higher figure comes after England's chief medical officer warned that cases will increase if people do not social distance.
Friday 26 June 2020 19:32, UK
Another 186 people have died with coronavirus in the UK - an increase in the daily count of more than a fifth compared to 24 hours earlier.
The Department of Health and Social Care reported a further 186 fatalities in all settings across the UK on Friday, compared to 149 on Thursday and 154 on Wednesday.
On Tuesday the number was higher - at 171.
But on Monday it was just 15 - although figures are often lower over the weekend and just after due to a lag in the reporting of new cases and deaths.
The number of people who have tested positive for coronavirus across the UK now stands at 309,360, and the number who have died with COVID-19 is 43,414.
The government announced earlier this week that lockdown measures would be eased further from 4 July thanks to a steady decline in cases and fatalities, but there are concerns the disease may spread rapidly again if social distancing advice is not followed.
A major incident was declared in Bournemouth on Thursday after thousands of people descended on the area's beaches as temperatures soared.
Council leaders said the hoards of sun-seekers was "like those seen on a bank holiday".
The prime minister has also warned people are "taking too many liberties" as the lockdown is eased.
Boris Johnson, who has given the go-ahead for pubs, hairdressers, cinemas, and restaurants to reopen in England next Saturday, added that people should refrain from "mingling too much".
It came after England's chief medical officer Professor Chris Whitty said that incidence of COVID-19 had "gone down due to the efforts of everyone but is still in general circulation".
He added in a tweet: "If we do not follow social distancing guidance then cases will rise again. Naturally people will want to enjoy the sun but we need to do so in a way that is safe for all."
Health Secretary Matt Hancock has threatened to close beaches down if they become too crowded and social distancing is not observed.