Today's total includes 416 more deaths in England, 51 in Wales, 47 in Scotland, and 21 in Northern Ireland. The wider figure tallying deaths across all settings, including hospitals and care homes, and the full UK case total will be released later today. There were also 71 deaths recorded in London hospitals, and 44 in England's South East, as infection rates rose fastest in those areas. More areas could join areas including London and the South East- where the new variant has been spreading fastest- in Tier 4. Household mixing is banned for Tier 4 areas, including during the festive period after the Government reined in plans to temporarily relax the rules.

Source: Daily Mirror December 23, 2020 14:06 UTC