A further 980 people have died in the last 24 hours after contracting the coronavirus, the highest daily figure in Europe since the pandemic began.

Matt Hancock announced the new figures today at the daily Downing Street press conference where he confirmed the total UK death toll has now reached 8,958.

Prior to his announcement Italy recorded the highest number of daily deaths with 971 dying in just 24 hours.

Spain also recorded a staggering 950 deaths in one day.

The number of people in Scotland to die after being diagnosed with coronavirus has risen to 495.

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First Minister Nicola Sturgeon said 48 deaths from Covid-19 had been recorded since yesterday.

A total of 5,275 people have now tested positive for the virus in Scotland, up by 318 from 4,957 the day before.

There are 207 people in intensive care with coronavirus or coronavirus symptoms, a decrease of five on Thursday.

Sturgeon added that 1832 people are in hospital with confirmed or suspected Covid-19

UK sees highest number of daily deaths in Europe as total reaches almost 9,000

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