By Jeph Ajobaju, Chief Copy Editor
Official figures show that the United Kingdom on Sunday recorded its lowest daily rise in the number of coronavirus deaths since the lockdown began in March.
Some 55 deaths were reported across the UK as of 5pm on Sunday, taking the total to 40,597, and marking the smallest increase in fatalities since March 23.
On June 3, a total 359 coronavirus deaths had been recorded in the UK, a single-day toll higher than the 332 counted in all 27 European Union (EU) countries.
Figures on Monday tend to be lower as there is a lag in reporting deaths over the weekend.
Health Secretary Matt Hancock said the fatalities were “still 55 too many” but said he was “thankful” the number had fallen, Sky News reports.
Despite the cheery bit, however, the UK still has the second highest coronavirus deaths of 40, 597, after the United States with 112,645 deaths.
Globally the disease has killed 407,408 people so far and counting.
Worsening globally
Although the coronavirus outbreak in Europe is improving, “globally it is worsening”, says World Health Organisation (WHO) Director General, Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus.
He told reporters at a coronavirus briefing on Monday that more than 100,000 cases had been reported in nine of the past 10 days, and that 75 per cent of Sunday’s cases came from just 10 countries – most of them in the Americas and South Asia.
But despite striking a sombre tone, Tedros said the WHO was encouraged by “positive signs” in several countries, according to the BBC.
“In these countries, the biggest threat now is complacency,” he added.
“Results from studies to see how much of the population has been exposed to the virus show that most people globally are still susceptible to infection.”
Two weeks quarantine for UK arrivals
However, there were no new Covid-19 deaths reported in Scotland and Northern Ireland for second consecutive day on Monday.
Deaths were highest in the Midlands and the north of England. In Wales, three more deaths were announced.
Most people arriving in the UK have to quarantine for two weeks
The release of the UK figures came as it was revealed that London reported no new coronavirus-related deaths in hospitals in the last 24 hours.
NHS England said a small number of deaths did occur, but they will be announced in the coming days.
The number of new cases of coronavirus across the UK – 1,205 – is also the lowest since lockdown began on March 23.
A total of 138,183 coronavirus tests were carried out on June 7, although figures for how many people were tested have been unavailable for a number of days.
Individual health authorities in the home nations – England, Scotland, Wales, and Norther Ireland – collate their numbers at different times throughout the day and so they may not tally up to the UK government’s overall daily total.