UK COVID-19 death toll surpasses 80,000, ONS figures show

UK deaths from COVID-19 have surpassed 80,000, official data reveals.

These are the deaths recorded within 28 days of a positive Covid test result.

This comes as the UK has had more than 1,000 deaths per day for nearly four days in a row now, with Saturday's figures recording 1,035 COVID-19 deaths.

It is thought that only a handful of countries including India and the US have recorded more coronavirus related deaths than the UK.

As death rates continue to rise daily, some areas of the UK have declared a state of emergency with overwhelming case numbers and subsequent pressure on hospitals such as in London.

In a bid to tackle the sharp rise in cases, MPs have urged the public to act as if they did have the virus and recommend that everyone be cautious and stay at home, as England experiences its third national lockdown.

However, scientific advisors have cast doubt on these lockdown measures and their effectiveness in stopping coronavirus from spreading, especially with the new variant grappling the UK.