COVID-19 UPDATE: A further 31 pass away as death toll in UK rises to second highest in Europe

A further 31 people lost their lives from Covid-19 in the Republic of Ireland in the last 24 hours, the HSE said this evening.

The total death toll here is now 1,190 while the number of confirmed cases has now reached 20,253 after another 376 were diagnosed.

The total number of deaths in Northern Ireland has reached  338 after nine more people died overnight, according to Public Health Agency figures.

Meanwhile, the UK now has Europe’s second-highest official death toll, according to new figures that cover fatalities in all settings, including in nursing homes.

Public Health England has said that some 26,097 people died after testing positive for the virus.