COVID-19: UK records another 18,662 coronavirus cases and 398 deaths

The UK has reported another 18,662 coronavirus cases and 398 deaths.

The daily total includes 141 deaths which were omitted from yesterday’s government figures in error.

It brings the total number of deaths to 55,024.

On Saturday, there were 19,875 COVID-19 cases and 341 deaths reported.

Sunday’s figures come 10 days before the end of England’s second lockdown, with a range of strong measures also in place across the rest of the UK.

When England’s current restrictions expire on 2 December, they will be replaced by a tougher tiered system.

Downing Street said more areas are expected to enter higher tiers next month and those tiers will be strengthened to safeguard the gains made during the four-week lockdown.

Mr Johnson will detail his “winter COVID plan” to MPs on Monday and set out how people across the UK can spend the festive period. It is expected he will allow some households to come together for a period at Christmas.

Cabinet Office minister Michael Gove met with leaders of the devolved administrations over the weekend to agree “a shared objective of facilitating some limited additional household bubbling for a small number of days”.

A statement added: “Ministers reiterated the importance of allowing families and friends to meet in a careful and limited way, while recognising that this will not be a normal festive period and the risks of transmission remain very real.

“As such, ministers endorsed a shared objective of facilitating some limited additional household bubbling for a small number of days, but also emphasised that the public will be advised to remain cautious, and that wherever possible people should avoid travelling and minimise social contact.”

(c) Sky News 2020: COVID-19: UK records another 18,662 coronavirus cases and 398 deaths