England and Northern Ireland announce 12 more coronavirus deaths in UK's early count

A further 12 victims of the coronavirus have been confirmed in England and Northern Ireland today.

NHS England said 11 more people had died of the disease in its hospitals between August 2 and September 2, with six people dying on Wednesday.

Scotland and Wales recorded no further victims today. A full round-up of non-hospital deaths with be confirmed this afternoon by the Department of Health.

Data earlier this week shows the number of people dying of Covid-19 continues to fall and is at its lowest level since early March, with 88 fatalities in the week ending August 21.

This was the first time the official weekly figure had dropped below 100 and shows the illness is no longer a major cause of death in Britain.