Eight more people are known to have died from Covid-19 in the last 24 hours. It is the first time in more than two months that the official figure has increased by less than 10 a day.

The total number of coronavirus patients admitted to hospital also rose by eight to 11,680. Another 209 people tested positive for the virus, bringing the total to 45,445.

Over the last seven days the average number of deaths was 19, compared to more than 150 in the first week of April.

Altogether 5,830 people have died after testing positive for Covid-19, but the real death toll is believed to be at least 40% higher because the official number does not include people who died in the community.

The proportion of positive tests has fallen to just over 5%, from nearly 30% at the peak of the outbreak in late March. The number of deaths represents 12.8% of all infections, indicating that the real infection rate could be three to five times greater.