UK coronavirus death toll rises by 786 in last 24 hours to 6,159

The number of coronavirus patients who have died in the UK has risen to 6,159 – up by 786 from the day before.

More than 55,242 people have tested positive for the virus, the Department of Health and Social Care said on Tuesday.

The death toll for hospitalised patients stood at more than 6,100 as of 5pm on Monday.

More than 9,700 individuals were tested in a day – although this figure excludes data from Manchester and Leeds due to a processing delay, the government said.

In total, around 213,100 people have been tested to date, according to the latest figures on Tuesday.

Sir Patrick Vallance, the government’s chief scientific officer, said the number of new cases “could be moving in the right direction”.

“It’s possible that we’re beginning to see the beginning of change in terms of the curve flattening a little bit,” he said, adding: “We won’t know that for sure for a week or so.”​

However, he said it was “important” for the UK to keep the measures it has in place to combat its Covid-19 outbreak.

The country has been in lockdown for several weeks, with all non-essential stores shut down and people only allowed to go outside for a list of essential reasons, for example to get groceries or go to work.

The British prime minister - who has tested positive for coronavirus – ”remained stable overnight” after he was moved to intensive care amid worsening symptoms, Dominic Raab said on Tuesday.

“He’s receiving standard oxygen treatment and breathing without any assistance,” Mr Raab, who is deputising for the Boris Johnson as first secretary of state, said. “He’s not required any mechanical ventilation or non-invasive respiratory support.”

He wished Mr Johnson a speedy recovery in hospital, saying: ”He’s not just our boss, he’s also a colleague and he’s also our friend.”

Additional reporting by Press Association