The UK’s Covid-19 death toll has increased by 76 in England, six in Northern Ireland, one in Scotland and one in Wales, which announced a two-week “firebreak” lockdown

England reported 76 fatalities, Northern Ireland had six, Scotland recorded one and Wales had one.

It is the highest rise on a Monday since 115 deaths on June 1.

By comparison, the tolls announced on recent Mondays were 43 on October 12, 10 on October 5, 10 on September 28 and 12 on September 21.

The lowest increase on a Monday was two fatalities on August 17, while the biggest jump was 697 on April 13 as the UK was in its initial peak of the pandemic.

The figures were announced as Wales announced a short circuit-breaker lockdown, joining Northern Ireland, as Boris Johnson faced mounting calls to impose a similar shutdown in England to curb the spread of the virus and protect the NHS.