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The latest figures were release by the Department of Health and comprise deaths across all settings

Official UK death toll rises to 38,161 after another 324 die

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The UK’s official death toll from coronavirus has risen to 38,161 after another 324 people died.

The latest figures were released by the Department of Health this afternoon and consist of deaths in all settings, including care homes.

In total, the government said 4,043,686 tests have been carried out, including 131,458 yesterday. In total, 271,222 people have tested positive. Downing Street has said it remains on track to meet the promised 200,000 capacity target for coronavirus tests on Monday.

Earlier, NHS England announced 149 more deaths had been recorded in hospitals since yesterday. Across the devolved administrations, Scotland announced 15 more deaths, Wales had 10 and Northern Ireland had three.

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The official UK death toll has risen to 38,161 after 324 more people died

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The update came at the start of the daily Downing Street briefing at which chancellor Rishi Sunak announced that employers will have to pay 10% of furloughed staff wages from September and 20% from October as the government’s job retention scheme is wound up.

Mr Sunak told bosses they will have to start contributing from August as the lockdown is lifted and plans kick in to restart the economy.

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Doctors treat a patient suffering from coronavirus on an Intensive Care ward at Frimley Park Hospital in Surrey (Picture: PA)
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Chancellor Rishi Sunak is expected to announce changes to the government’s furlough scheme at today’s Downing Street press conference (Picture: PA)
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Caption: Shuttered shops are seen in Camden Market in north London (Picture: AFP via Getty Images)

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The programme has so far covered the wages of 8.4 million furloughed workers – costing £15 billion.

But the government has conceded the scheme cannot run ‘indefinitely’.

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Downing Street has said it remains on track to meet the promised 200,000 capacity target for coronavirus tests on Monday (Picture: PA)

It also follows Boris Johnson’s announcement of a gradual easing of the lockdown in England, with friends and families able to meet in parks and gardens in socially distanced groups of six from June 1.

The Prime Minister said all five of his tests to move into the next phase had been met, allowing schools to begin reopening and greater contact to be permitted from Monday.

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