UK coronavirus death toll up by 12 as cases rise by 1,108

Another 12 deaths have been confirmed across the UK, but cases have risen by more than 1,000
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The UK's coronavirus death toll has risen by 12 overnight, with cases up by more than 1,000.

This brings the country's official number of Covid-19 deaths to date to 41,498 – the fifth highest in the world.

The total number of cases now stands at 332,75 – the thirteenth highest count globally.

On Saturday, a further 1,108 cases of the virus were confirmed, with Department of Health data suggesting average infection numbers are creeping back up.

There are now an average of 1,173 new cases each day – an increase on last week's average of 992.

Six of the 12 new deaths reported on Saturday were recorded in England's hospitals.

Scotland saw no Covid-19 deaths for the third consecutive day, while hospitals in Wales and Northern Ireland marked a second day fatality-free.

It brings the total number of confirmed virus deaths in UK hospitals to 34,196.

The victims in England were aged between 52 and 91 and only one patient – aged 85 – had no known underlying health condition.

The dates of the deaths ranged from June 23 to August 28, with the majority on or after August 27, NHS England said.

While Scotland recorded no further virus deaths, it saw its sharpest daily rise in infections for the past week – with 88 new cases confirmed.

The biggest number of new cases came from the Greater Glasgow and Clyde health board area, which saw a rise of 36 from Friday.

Despite the rise in cases, First Minister Nicola Sturgeon has said there is “no need for alarm”.

Areas where localised outbreaks were being dealt with saw a small increase in new cases, with six in NHS Grampian, seven in Lanarkshire, 11 in Tayside and two in the Scottish Borders.

On Twitter, the First Minister said that the rise in cases was due to an increase in testing, and the proportion of people tested returning positive results remains below one per cent.

“The increase in cases just now partly reflects a greater volume of testing. Crucially, our positivity rate remains low (below one per cent again today). So no need for alarm,” she tweeted.

“But there is a need to be very careful and cautious – it is all very delicately balanced just now.

She continued: “Hard reality is this – Covid is still out there, still highly infectious and still potentially lethal.

“We take our eye off the ball, or tell ourselves it’s all over, at our peril. Ahead of winter, we must be vigilant and careful.

“Please follow all the advice.”