Post Desk : More than 100,000 people in the UK have now died with Covid-19, the latest Government figures show, with 1,631 more deaths recorded on Tuesday.

The Government said a further 1,631 people had died within 28 days of testing positive for Covid-19 as of Tuesday, bringing the UK total to 100,162.

They also said that, as of 9am on Tuesday, there had been a further 20,089 lab-confirmed cases of coronavirus in the UK.

It brings the total number of cases in the UK to 3,689,746.

Health Secretary Matt Hancock said the Government’s measure for the coronavirus death toll having passed 100,000 is “heart-breaking” and warned there is still “a tough period ahead”.

In a statement, he said: “My thoughts are with each and every person who has lost a loved one – behind these heart-breaking figures are friends, families and neighbours.
“I know how hard the last year has been, but I also know how strong the British public’s determination is and how much we have all pulled together to get through this.”

Mr Hancock added that the vaccine offered a way out of the pandemic.

“We’re undertaking a huge national effort to vaccinate the most vulnerable people in our society, with over 6.5 million jabs across the UK to date, and thanks to the brilliance of our scientists and clinicians we know more today about this terrible new virus and how to beat it”, he said.

“The vaccine offers the way out, but we cannot let up now and we sadly still face a tough period ahead. The virus is still spreading and we’re seeing over 3,500 people per day being admitted into hospital.

“The single most important thing we must all do now is stay at home to save lives and protect our NHS.”

Labour leader Sir Keir Starmer has said the Government’s measure of the coronavirus death toll passing 100,000 is a “national tragedy”.

In a statement, Sir Keir said: “This is a national tragedy and a terrible reminder of all that we have lost as a country.

“We must never become numb to these numbers or treat them as just statistics. Every death is a loved one, a friend, a neighbour, a partner or a colleague. It is an empty chair at the dinner table.

“To all those that are mourning, we must promise to learn the lessons of what went wrong and build a more resilient country. That day will come and we will get there together.

“But for now we must remember those that we have lost and be vigilant in the national effort to stay at home, protect our NHS and vaccinate Britain.”