The UK has recorded 563 more Covid-related deaths in the space of 24 hours. 

The UK total is now 81,431. That figure refers to people who have died within 28 days of a positive Covid test. Here’s a quick primer on how to make sense of the daily updates.

The latest figures come as Matt Hancock said the NHS is under greater pressure than at any time in its history.

Speaking on Sunday, the minister again urged the public to follow the new lockdown rules as “every flex can be fatal”.

“The NHS is under very serious pressure,” he told the BBC’s Andrew Marr. 

“As the chief medical officer (Chris Whitty) said, it is under the greatest pressure it ever has been, and that’s particularly true in some parts of the country but frankly it’s true right across the UK.

“And we can all do something about it. The NHS has never needed everyone to something more than it’s needed that now, and that’s stay at home.” 

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