ANOTHER 59 people who tested positive for Covid-19 have died in the past 24 hours, NHS England has said.

The total number of confirmed reported deaths in hospitals in England is currently 25,750.

It is one of the smallest increases since the pandemic started.

However, NHS England said the number of deaths may be more as the system used to collate deaths was down for much of Sunday.

They said: "The Covid Patient Notification System did not operate between 4.55am and 3pm on Sunday 24 May due to connectivity issues experienced by an external supplier.

“The number of deaths reported today by NHS England and NHS Improvement may therefore reflect this situation.

“The system is now fully operational and the reports of any deaths which were not able to be entered yesterday will be uploaded and reconciled.”

The patients were aged between 44 and 98-years-old.

Four of the 59 patients - aged between 56 and 91 - had no known underlying health condition.

Five of the deaths reported occurred in the south east. 

NHS England said their families have been informed.