The number of deaths involving coronavirus has fallen to the lowest level since lockdown began, new figures reveal.
New data published today from the Office for National Statistics (ONS) shows the number of deaths registered in England and Wales in the week ending July 3 involving Covid-19 was 532.
It is the lowest number of deaths linked to the virus in the last 15 weeks, the ONS said.
Prime Minister Boris Johnson brought lockdown measures in on March 23 and in that week 539 deaths involving coronavirus were registered, according to ONS figures.
However health experts have warned against complacency, today saying that up to 120,000 people could die of coronavirus in a worst-case scenario second wave in the winter.
With Covid-19 more likely to spread in colder temperatures and with people spending more time together in enclosed spaces, a resurgence of the killer bug could prove catastrophic.
Stephen Holgate, a professor and co-lead author of a report by Britain's Academy of Medical Sciences (AMS), said a second outbreak "could be more serious than the one we've just been through".
"This is not a prediction, but it is a possibility," Holgate told an online briefing on Tuesday.
"Deaths could be higher with a new wave of Covid-19 this winter, but the risk of this happening could be reduced if we take action immediately."
The news comes as the UK's death toll has hit 55,873, including suspected cases, according to a Reuters tally of official data.
The figures means the UK is one of the worst hit countries in the world.
The Reuters tally comprises of fatalities where coronavirus was mentioned on death certificates in England, Wales and Northern Ireland up to July 3, and up to July 5.
It also includes more recent hospital deaths.
The government's official daily toll, which only records deaths following positive coronavirus tests, stands at 44,830.
According to the ONS, there were a total of 9,140 deaths registered in England and Wales in the week to July 3.
This is 43 fewer than the five-year average of 9,183.
This is the third week in a row that deaths have been below the five-year average.
The number of deaths in care homes and hospitals in the week to July 3 was also below the five-year average (88 and 634 deaths lower respectively), while the number of deaths in private homes was 755 higher than the five-year average.
Four regions of England had deaths above the five-year average in the week ending July 3, while five regions were below, the ONS said.
The regions where the number of registered deaths was above the five-year average were north-east England (7.1% above), the East Midlands (7.0% above), south-east England (3.3% above) and London (0.5% above).
The five regions with fewer deaths were the West Midlands (2.1% below), Yorkshire & the Humber (2.2% below), north-west England (4.1% below), eastern England (5.1% below) and south-west England (6.1% below).
In Wales, the number of deaths registered in the week to July 3 was 5.2% above the five-year average.