The UK has reported 32 new coronavirus deaths over the past 24 hours, government figures reveal. 

It is the highest number of deaths recorded since July 29 and brings the UK’s Covid-19 death toll to 41,586 – the fifth highest in the world. 

News of the deaths comes amid a continuing surge in coronavirus cases in the UK, with 2,460 new infections recorded on Tuesday for England, Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland. 

It comes after 2,988 cases were reported on Sunday – the biggest jump in new infections in more than three months – and 2,948 on Monday. 

Health secretary Matt Hancock has branded the increase in cases “concerning”, saying that young people – particularly those aged 17 to 21 – were among the biggest drivers of the recent surge in infections.

Editor’s note: an earlier version of this story omitted figures for Northern Ireland, which were released later on Tuesday than the UK’s other three nations.