Here are the key coronavirus updates from the last 24-hours. 

  • There have been no further coronavirus deaths in hospitals in the North-East and North Yorkshire. Latest figures published on Friday afternoon, July 31, confirmed a total of 1,735 patients in the region have died since the outbreak began. NHS England said: "A further nine people, who tested positive for the coronavirus (Covid-19) have died, bringing the total number of confirmed reported deaths in hospitals in England to 29,338. Patients were aged between 73 and 92 years old. All had known underlying health conditions apart from one (aged 75). Their families have been informed."
  • A planned easing of England's lockdown has been postponed a day before it was due to come into effect, as the Prime Minister warned the country "cannot be complacent" amid a rise in the prevalence of coronavirus in the community. Measures due to be lifted on Saturday, including allowing small wedding receptions, reopening bowling alleys and casinos and pilots of larger gatherings in sports venues, have been delayed for at least two weeks. And in a strengthening of precautions, Boris Johnson announced that face coverings will become mandatory in indoor settings such as museums, galleries, cinemas and places of worship from August 8.
  • Boris Johnson has urged people to remember the slogan "hands, face, space" in combating Covid-19. The Prime Minister acknowledged that it was important to keep the advice being issued as simple as possible.

 

  •  The Government's Sage (Scientific Advisory Group for Emergencies) committee discussed data on July 2 which suggested "a gradual decline in self-reported hand-washing frequency over the course of the epidemic" and said it is "worth revisiting behavioural interventions to increase uptake".

 

  • Tui has extended the suspension of holidays in Spain for UK customers. The UK's largest tour operator has cancelled all trips to mainland Spain until at least August 17, while its programmes in Spain's Balearic Islands and Canary Islands are on hold until August 10. The firm is adding more flights and using larger aircraft for trips to Greece and Turkey to enable affected customers to change their holiday destinations.

 

  • There has been a slight increase in the number of people testing positive for coronavirus in England, the Office for National Statistics (ONS) says. According to the ONS, between July 20 and 26 there were around 0.78 new Covid-19 infections for every 10,000 people in the community population in England.