UK coronavirus deaths surpass 50,000

The death toll across the UK due to the novel coronavirus has reached the grim 50,000 mark with an addition of 595 more fatalities on Wednesday.

Health authorities reported 22,950 more infections over the past 24 hours, raising the seven-day case total to 157,669.

There have been 2,623 deaths in the past week, up 27% on the previous week.

Between Jan. 31 and Nov. 11, 2020, there were 1,256,725 confirmed positive test results, according to the most recent data.

A total of 1,219 coronavirus patients are being treated in hospitals with a mechanical ventilator, officials have said.

A national lockdown has been in place in England for a week and is set to end for now on Dec. 2, when it will be reviewed.