The UK has recorded 608 coronavirus deaths in the past 24 hours – the highest number of fatalities since May 12.
The latest figures take the UK total death toll to 55,838, the Independent reports.
This is the highest daily number of fatalities since 614 deaths were reported on May 12 -but there is often a delay in the reporting of deaths over the weekend.
On Tuesday, the UK recorded another 11,299 coronavirus cases – down on the 15,450 on Monday.
It brings the total number of cases in the UK to 1,538,74.
The latest figures come ahead of eased restrictions for the holiday period.
British Prime Minister Boris Johnson has announced all four UK nations have agreed on a household bubble for gatherings over Christmas.
“From next Wednesday, the current restrictions in England will expire and a stronger three-tiered system of local measures will replace them,” Mr Johnson said.
“This year, Christmas will be different, many of us are longing to spend time with family and friends irrespective of our faith or background and yet we can’t afford to throw caution to the wind.
“The virus doesn’t know its Christmas and we must all be careful.”
The Christmas changes come as England cut the two-week quarantine facing people arriving from regions not on Britain’s coronavirus safe list, reducing it to as little as five days if they test negative for COVID-19.
