The UK’s daily coronavirus death toll has exceeded 500 for the first time since May. 

On Tuesday, the UK recorded the deaths of 532 people who had tested positive for Covid-19 in the previous 28 days. 

Though delays in reporting at weekends means that figures often spike on a Tuesday, it is the first time since May 19 that the daily coronavirus death toll has breached the 500 mark and the highest number since 632 deaths were recorded on May 12.

Of the 532 deaths, 460 were reported in England and 39 in Scotland, while Wales accounted for 22. Eleven were also recorded in Northern Ireland. 

It brings the UK’s coronavirus death toll to 49,770 – one of the highest in the world. 

Meanwhile, more than 1.2m Covid-19 cases have been recorded, with 20,412 new infections added to the total on Tuesday. 

News of the deaths comes amid hope from scientists that a coronavirus vaccine developed by Pfizer and BioNTech could mean life is back to normal by spring, with trials suggesting the new jab is more than 90% effective. 

However, England’s deputy chief medical officer Jonathan Van-Tam warned on Monday it would be a “colossal mistake” for Brits to relax when it comes to lockdown rules and social-distancing. 

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