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The number of people who have died in the UK after testing positive for coronavirus has risen to 41,736 – an increase of 38 over 24 hours.

The figures cover the period up to 5pm on Sunday, but the true number of deaths may be significantly different. Here’s a quick primer on what all the different numbers mean and how to understand them.

Meanwhile, as of 9am on Monday, 6,866,481 people have been tested for coronavirus, with 296,857 coming back positive.

The latest figures come as researchers have said that making face coverings mandatory in public places, combined with effective testing and tracing, could dramatically cut the number of future deaths from Covid-19.

A team of experts investigated different scenarios for capping the UK death toll and found that extensive testing, tracing and isolation, combined with widespread use of face coverings, could save 50,000 lives and £700 billion of GDP over the next two years.

They based their death count on a government death toll of just over 40,000 people by June 5 – although other estimates put the figure much higher.

At present, face coverings are mandatory on public transport and in hospitals in England – and are recommended in crowded places, such as busy shops, PA Media reports.