Coronavirus news live: UK death toll stands at 41,969, racism could be behind higher death rate for BAME people and ‘severe’ outbreak in Beijing

Authorities are trying to contain the outbreak linked to the Xinfadi wholesale food market, Beijing’s biggest supplier of produce and meat (Picture: Kevin Frayer/Getty Images)

The UK’s official death toll from coronavirus sits at 41,969 after another 233 were confirmed to have died with the virus on Tuesday.

The figures, released by the Department of Health and Social Care yesterday, account for deaths across all settings, including in care homes and the community.

Meanwhile, social inequality and racism have put black, Asian and minority ethnic (BAME) communities at greater risk of catching and dying from coronavirus, a new study claims.

Public Health England’s (PHE) report found historic racism may mean people are discriminated against when it comes to personal protective equipment (PPE), potentially discouraging non-white people from seeking care or demanding better protection.

While health and wellbeing inequalities have existed in the UK long before Covid-19, the study suggests they have ‘made these disparities more apparent and undoubtedly exacerbated them’.

• Another 233 die bringing the UK’s death toll to 41,969
• Beijing locals rounded up put in quarantine after ‘severe coronavirus outbreak’
• ‘Major breakthrough’ as cheap steroid found to reduce coronavirus deaths
• Racism could be behind higher coronavirus death rate for BAME people

Here, we bring you the live updates on the latest news, developments and guidance on the Covid-19 pandemic.